Men face robbery charges

Two men face a March 11 preliminary hearing on charges they robbed a 7-Eleven store and a liquor store in Chula Vista in 2012, as well as holding up 13 other stores.

Alex Sanchez, 23, and Luis Alonso Cruz, 25, have pleaded not guilty to the robbery series, which took place from July 25 to Sept. 17, 2012.

Cruz is also charged with being in possession of a firearm by a felon, as he was convicted of burglary in 2010, according to court records.

The men are accused of robbing the Pine Palace Liquor store on Third Avenue on Sept. 3 and a 7-Eleven store on Aug. 18 in Chula Vista.

The other stores were located in Point Loma, Clairemont, Carlsbad, Mira Mesa and Linda Vista.

La Mesa police arrested Cruz on Sept. 24, and San Diego police arrested Sanchez on Oct. 2.

Both could receive life sentences if they are convicted and sentenced consecutively. Cruz is charged separately with a La Mesa robbery and assault. Cruz and Sanchez remain in jail on $500,000 and $800,000 bail respectively.