Man Faces Trial on 33 Robbery Charges

A man police dubbed the “remorseful robber,” because they say he sometimes returned cash or valuables to victims who pleaded for their belongings, was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on 33 counts of robbery and one count of kidnaping in connection with a robbery.

Municipal Judge Juelann K. Cathey ordered Ronald Sykes, 29, of Eagle Rock to appear in San Fernando Superior Court on Oct. 9 to set a trial date. Sykes faces life in prison if he is convicted of all counts.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Carole A. Chizever of the department’s career criminal division said five other robbery counts were dropped because the victims did not appear in court to testify.

According to court records, Sykes approached victims on foot as they left their homes, got out of their cars or worked in their yards. He would reveal a shotgun wrapped in a shirt or jacket and demand money from the victims. All of the robberies occurred in the San Fernando Valley.

He got his nickname after victims told police that he had returned money, a bank teller card and a ring after they pleaded with him.

Sykes was arrested July 23 in Mission Hills after a special police unit assigned to pursue armed criminals found his vehicle and followed him to a convenience store. Sykes did not resist arrest.