SANTA ANA, Calif. — A South Los Angeles man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges stemming from a violent armed robbery spree across Southern California, including an attempted carjacking in which he shot a man outside an Orange County shopping mall.
In another attack, prosecutors said, the gunman shoved a pistol into a woman’s mouth, breaking her teeth, before stealing her purse.
Oshae Pollard, 23, of the Manchester Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, commonly known as Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Pollard has been in federal custody since December 2024.
Pollard faces up to life imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21.
Woman Attacked at Gardena Casino
According to his plea agreement, Pollard robbed a woman at gunpoint Aug. 25, 2024, in the parking lot of Hustler Casino in Gardena.
Pollard pushed the woman to the ground and pulled on her purse. When she resisted and yelled for help, he forced a firearm into her mouth, breaking her teeth.
He threatened to kill her if she continued yelling before escaping with her purse and $1,000.
Taxi Driver Robbed in Carson
Early the following day, Pollard robbed a taxi driver seated inside his vehicle in the parking lot of a Winchell’s Donut House in Carson.
Pollard pointed a gun at the driver, struck him in the face and stole his wallet and cellphone, according to the plea agreement.
Luxury Watch and Wallet Stolen at Fashion Island
Later that day, Pollard robbed another victim in the parking lot of Fashion Island in Newport Beach.
Pollard stole an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, a monogrammed brown Berluti wallet and the keys to a Rolls-Royce. The stolen property was valued at approximately $44,000.
At the same time, Pollard and an accomplice attempted to rob a second person. Pollard fired a bullet into that victim’s car, narrowly missing the driver as he escaped.
Victim Shot During Lamborghini Carjacking Attempt
On Sept. 22, 2024, Pollard attempted to steal a Lamborghini Urus from a man in the parking lot of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
Pollard pointed a gun at the man and demanded his vehicle and other property. He threatened to kill the victim before shooting him in the hand and thigh, according to the plea agreement.
The victim survived.
During an October 2024 traffic stop, police found Pollard with the loaded pistol used in the robberies and attempted carjacking, along with a black ski mask. He was arrested but later released.
Federal authorities arrested him in December 2024. The original criminal complaint accused Pollard of at least three armed robberies and one attempted armed robbery in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
U.S. District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21, 2027.
Pollard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
🔴 Quick Fact Checklist
🔴 Defendant: Oshae Pollard, 23, of South Los Angeles
🔴 Plea: Guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence
🔴 Crime spree: Aug. 25 through Sept. 22, 2024
🔴 Locations: Gardena, Carson, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa
🔴 Property stolen at Fashion Island: Approximately $44,000
🔴 Most serious attack: Victim shot in the hand and thigh during an attempted Lamborghini carjacking
🔴 Federal custody: Since December 2024
🔴 Sentencing: Jan. 21, 2027
🔴 Possible punishment: Mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.