Suspected bank robber to withdraw guilty pleas

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A hearing is scheduled Friday for a man who wants to withdraw his guilty pleas to six bank robbery counts — admissions that could land him in prison for up to 29 years.

If Robert Anthony Hodge, 29, loses his motion, he will face sentencing by Judge Peter Deddeh.

Authorities said Hodge was arrested in Mexico following a hold-up near University Town Centre in which an accomplice was shot by a security guard.

Casey Allen Wilson, who was shot in the face and arm after threatening a teller with a stun gun, ran out to a car being driven by Hodge and was taken to a hospital. Wilson, 28, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from two robberies and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Laura Elshire, a 43-year-old who was captured inside the Wells Fargo Bank, pleaded guilty to robbery and was imprisoned for 19 years.

San Diego police Detective DeWayne Glazewski testified last year that Hodge confessed to his role in several bank robberies dating back to 2012 in El Cajon, Santee, La Jolla, Carmel Valley and 4S Ranch.

Investigators dubbed it the “Dum Dum” series because a jar of lollipops was taken during one of the hold-ups.