Trial for alleged robber

A San Diego man was ordered Oct. 30 to stand trial for two attempted robberies of employees at a Chula Vista Taco Bell.

Several witnesses testified at the preliminary hearing for Salvador Alberto Martinez, 36, regarding the July 23 incident at the restaurant at 696 E St. in Chula Vista. He was also ordered to stand trial for felony assault and burglary of the store.

Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Ana Espana dismissed a charge that alleged Martinez made a criminal threat.

According to Chula Vista Police, Martinez entered the store at 11:35 a.m., walked behind the service counter and yelled for patrons to get on the floor.

Martinez allegedly held a knife to two employees and demanded money from the safe, but he left after being told the workers did not have access to the safe.

A witness who saw the robbery in progress watched as the suspect left and changed shirts. The witness told police he was at the transit station at Interstate 5 and E Street where police arrested him as he started to board the trolley.

He remains in the South Bay detention facility on $155,000 bail.