4 teens face life in prison after terrorizing grocery store

Four juveniles who allegedly rampaged through a Marysville supermarket face up to life in prison after they were charged as adults in Yuba County Superior Court.

Yuba County prosecutors charged the teens on Friday with seven felonies and one misdemeanor.

Superior Court Judge Julia Scrogin set bail at $1 million each for Shateemah Harrison, Alexandria Petrondla Evans and Elias Esquivel, all 15, and Sarah Murphy, 14.

The teens, who pleaded not guilty, wore Juvenile Hall jumpsuits and were chained at the waist as they appeared in Scrogin's courtroom.

They were charged with felony counts of second-degree robbery, dissuading a witness, criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree burglary and vandalism. Esquivel also faces a felony charge of resisting an executive officer.

They also face a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

Revenge: Investigators say they believe the teens were trying to get revenge on the store, where three of them had been arrested for shoplifting on Monday

The criminal counts also carry an enhancement alleging the teens carried out the offenses for the benefit of the Crips criminal street gang. The charge of assault with a deadly weapon involved use of frozen chicken, according to the criminal complaint.

Prosecutor Mechele Cook said the teens face a maximum sentence of 45 years to life if they are convicted on all counts with the enhancement.

Scrogins appointed the public defender and other attorneys to represent the defendants. She set their preliminary hearing for Feb. 27.

One spectator left the courtroom in tears after the arraignment.

A fifth defendant, 13 years old, appeared in Juvenile Court on Friday. Details about that proceeding were not released.

The teens are accused of entering the Marysville Save Mart on Wednesday and "terrorizing citizens," according to police.

Four juveniles — all girls — entered the supermarket together at about 1:40 p.m. and ran through the aisles, knocking down and destroying merchandise while shouting profanities and gang slogans, police said. Damage was estimated at about $1,000.

After destroying property inside, the teens walked outside and continued to knock over Save Mart property. When the store manager attempted to stop one of the teens from re-entering the Save Mart, the male teen punched the store manager in the face, police said.

Three of the girls had been arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest on the Monday before, Save Mart employees told police.

During the Wednesday incident, two police officers were injured, as was a retired Air Force staff sergeant, who police said slipped in a puddle of oil on the floor near the meat department. Officers believed the oil was purposely spilled on the floor by the teens.

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