Man in wheelchair goes to prison

A man in a wheelchair who tried to rob several Chula Vista businesses has pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery.

Daniel Meza, 49, simulated having a gun and announced to people he would kill everyone if they didn’t give him some money, said Deputy District Attorney Victor Ou.

Meza demanded and received money from Sandra Hayes at Paty’s Barber Shop at 1099 Third Ave. at 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2016. Meza pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to robbery from the barber shop and attempted robbery of a clerk at a 7-Eleven store.

The prosecutor said Meza has agreed to accept a prison term of two years and eight months. The maximum sentence is five years and eight months, court records say.

Sentencing was set for Feb. 16 by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Francis Devaney. Meza remains in jail without bail.
Chula Vista Police found Meza in front of Walgreens at Third Avenue and Naples Street. He had one hand concealed in his jacket pocket, and told officers he had a gun. Meza also told them he wanted to die.

Police reported Meza struggled with officers and no weapon was found after he was arrested. Officers took him to Scripps Hospital in Chula Vista for treatment and he was later booked into jail.

Other charges that were dismissed include an attempted robbery and burglary at a cell phone store, burglaries at the barber shop and 7-Eleven, disturbing the peace, and resisting a police officer.

Meza pleaded guilty without having a preliminary hearing. He has three pending separate misdemeanor cases.