News

December 25, 2009

Wilkes-Barre man gets 21 to 42 months in prison for shooting

Defendant shot another man in the arm during an armed robbery in the city in 2006.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A city man was sentenced Wednesday to 21 to 42 months in state prison for shooting a man during a 2006 robbery.

Luzerne County Court Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. sentenced Juan Vizcarrando, 29, of South River Street, on one count of aggravated assault.

Police said Vizcarrando shot Clifton Blake in the arm with a handgun after taking his wallet and a watch valued at more than $1,000.

Olszewski ordered Vizcarrando to maintain a full-time job once released from prison, to have no contact with Blake and to pay any of Blake’s medical and medication costs.

Vizcarrando was represented by attorney Charlie Ross. Assistant District Attorney Albert Yacoub prosecuted the case.

Blake was injured on Sept. 27, 2006, when two men jumped into his car armed with a small caliber revolver in what police said was a robbery.

Blake said he stopped at a stop sign at Madison and East Hollenback streets when two men got out of a parked car and got into his.

Vizcarrando sat in the front passenger seat while the other man got in the back, said Blake, who said he recognized Vizcarrando.

According to the criminal complaint, Blake said the man in the back seat punched him in the face several times and aimed the gun at his head.

Vizcarrando demanded money, and Blake gave Vizcarrando his wallet containing $20 and a watch valued at $1,200.

Vizcarrando took the gun from the other man and demanded more money. That’s when Blake wrestled with Vizcarrando for the gun. He told a Times Leader reporter a few days after the incident that he struggled with Vizcarrando and the other man for 10 to 15 minutes.

Blake then drove to his girlfriend’s residence in Plains Township and was taken to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Neighbors who heard the gunfire at about 11:40 p.m. called police. Police found a sneaker on the road.

The car in which Vizcarrando and the other attacker allegedly sped away was found later on Midland Court. In the car was the other sneaker.

Police said they traced the owner of the car to a South River Street residence, where Vizcarrando was captured.

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