A Vancouver woman involved in the robbery of a man was sentenced Thursday in Clark County Superior Court after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
Vanessa Z. Delacruz, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and received a sentence of time served — about 90 days in jail.
Delacruz initially faced charges of first-degree robbery and possession of a dangerous weapon. However, those charges were either amended or dismissed as part of a plea deal.
A co-defendant, Marcus D. Bush, 22, faces a charge of first-degree robbery in connection with the Sept. 20 incident. His case is still pending.
The two allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old man shortly after 2:30 a.m. in the 4500 block of Southeast Columbia Way. One of the suspects reached into the victim’s pants pocket and took his cellphone and car keys, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.
A witness who came upon the assault tried to intervene, but Bush displayed a handgun, according to the affidavit.
Bush and Delacruz then left in a vehicle with three other people. Vancouver police officers found the vehicle, but the driver fled on foot and wasn’t immediately located. He left behind a cellphone, according to court documents. Police later determined the cellphone belonged to Bush.
Following his arrest, Bush admitted to being involved in the incident but said Delacruz was the one who took the victim’s possessions, according to the affidavit. He also denied having a gun.
Delacruz’s defense attorney, Dustin Richardson, said during the hearing that his client knows she made a bad decision and needs to make an important change in her life. Delacruz did not have prior felony history, he said.
Judge Derek Vanderwood agreed to give Delacruz credit for the time she’s already served.
