Suspect Arrested in Three UC Riverside Robberies

Riverside police arrested 18-year-old Shareef Pendergrass on Oct. 26 after investigating a series of robberies near UC Riverside. Police said three incidents were reported Oct. 23 and 24, including one in which a suspect riding a scooter allegedly demanded money from a student who believed he had a handgun; investigators said the student had no connection to the nearby Islamic Center. Authorities said a search of Pendergrass’s residence uncovered evidence linking him to the incidents, and he was booked on six counts of armed robbery with bail set at $280,000. In a subsequent court appearance, Pendergrass pleaded not guilty; a judge scheduled a Nov. 9 hearing on his request to reduce bail. Prosecutors charged him with robbery, three counts of attempted robbery and witness intimidation, according to a court report.