Riverside Man Held on $280,000 Bail Over Campus-Area Robberies

An 18-year-old Riverside man is currently being held at the Byrd Detention Center on bail set at $280,000. Shareef Maki Pendergrass has pleaded not guilty to felony charges related to robberies and attempted robberies in neighborhoods close to UC Riverside. He remains in custody as of Friday and is scheduled to appear before a judge next month to request a reduction in that bond amount.

Pendergrass was arrested on Monday following a joint investigation conducted by the Riverside Police Department and UCR Police Department. During his arraignment on Thursday, he denied the allegations before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gail O’Rane. The judge set a bail reduction hearing for Nov. 9, a date requested by Pendergrass’ public defender. That hearing will determine if factors, such as his lack of prior criminal history, justify lowering the financial requirement for his release.

Riverside police Detective Steve Espinosa stated that most of the alleged activity took place in the Canyon Crest area, which is within a couple of miles of the university campus. According to Espinosa, the defendant was on a scooter on the evening of Oct. 23 when he approached a person walking in front of the Islamic Center of Riverside at 1038 Linden St. The suspect demanded money, and the victim believed the suspect was armed with a handgun. The victim surrendered cash and other valuables before the defendant fled.

Espinosa said that within an hour or two of that first incident, another individual was confronted outside the Stonehaven Apartments at the intersection of Blaine Street and Canyon Crest Drive. The defendant demanded money from this second victim, though the victim did not have any. On Saturday at approximately 7:07 p.m., officers responded to a third robbery at the University Crest Apartments, located at 3130 Canyon Crest Drive. Espinosa noted that the circumstances of this incident were similar to the robberies reported the previous evening.

The victims in these cases were not identified, and none suffered injuries. Espinosa said the joint investigation with UCR police confirmed Pendergrass was the perpetrator. Authorities obtained a search warrant for his apartment on Watkins Drive, which is just off the campus. He was taken into custody without incident on Monday. Authorities did not specify whether he is enrolled as a student at the university, and no other background information was available.

Pendergrass is charged with one count of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, and one count of witness intimidation. The next court date is set for Nov. 9, when Judge O’Rane will review the request to lower his bail.