“Give me the money, give me the money,” the witness recalled hearing after the suspects entered 24 Hours Pawnshop, formerly Pink Pawnshop.
The witness said he was driving northward with family members, when he saw two armed men, wearing masks, enter the establishment on Oct. 23, 2009.
“I knew there was an ongoing robbery,” the witness said, adding that as he entered the store, he waited by the door.
He then saw two suspects rushing out. The last individual to come out was the cashier, who was bloodied.
“That’s the time I chased them,” the witness said, adding that the two suspects ran southward, and split into two.
He followed one of the suspects who ran about a mile around the neighborhood, and ended up hiding in a storage room.
The witness said he stayed outside, guarded the place, and waited for the police to arrive.
The arrested suspect was Marlon Martin, who is now serving seven years imprisonment for armed robbery.
The man on trial, Fernando Quitano, has denied charges of two counts of aggravated assault and battery, two counts of assault and battery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, theft, contempt, two counts of attempted first degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and burglary.
Judge David A. Wiseman is presiding the jury trial.
Assistants Attorney General Russel Lorfing, and Tiberius Mocanu are prosecuting the case, while Quitano is represented by attorney Stephen Woodruff.
