Teen Given 7 Years for Tying Up Elderly Man, Robbing His Home

Bay City News Service

A Daly City teenager who bound and gagged a 68-year-old man during a home invasion robbery in Redwood City last year was sentenced to seven years in prison in San Mateo County Superior Court Tuesday.

Jose Antonio Rodriguez, 18, lowered his head as Judge Craig Parsons handed down the maximum sentence for the July 2012 robbery.

Deputy District Attorney Sharon Cho said Rodriguez scoped out the victim's home before the crime, and knew that he used a walker.

Rodriguez enlisted the help of a juvenile teenage boy and forced his way into the residence after knocking on the door and asking to use the bathroom, Cho said. Rodriguez then used duct tape to tie up the victim and cover his eyes and mouth, Cho said.

The two intruders stole the man's laptop, money, and his 2008 Honda.

The victim managed to struggle free and call police.

One day later, Rodriguez and his accomplice were pulled over in the victim's car in San Francisco. Cho said the two were "celebrating" with the victim's stolen property.

In December, Rodriguez pleaded no contest to five felonies, including robbery of a victim over 60 years old, false imprisonment of an elder, and car theft.

At Tuesday's sentencing, Parsons called the robbery "an incredibly serious crime against a helpless victim in his home." Parsons said the robbery was "extremely egregious" and warranted the maximum sentence.

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