The so-called Twinkies Bandit — accused of robbing a Twin Peaks market at gunpoint of Twinkies and other items — returns to court April 30 for a disposition/reset hearing. (File Photo)
By G.T. Houts
San Bernardino, CA – The so-called Twinkies bandit — Charles Steve Ortez — returns to San Bernardino County Superior Court for a disposition/reset hearing at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-18, on Wednesday, April 30. Ortez is accused of robbing a Twin Peaks convenience store at gunpoint of Twinkies and other items.
Mountain High Market in Twin Peaks (Photo by ROTWNEWS)
He remains in custody at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on $500,000 bail.
Ortez has entered a not guilty plea to all charges.
THE CASE
Ortez, Jr., now 63, is charged with allegedly robbing Mountain High Market in Twin Peaks on Monday, October 1, 2012, of Twinkies, milk, Coke, whiskey and cash.
The armed robbery, utilizing a Taurus .38-caliber revolver, took place about three minutes before the market was scheduled to close for the night, according to documents released by the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station. The robber was carrying a black duffel bag and he utilized it to carry the items taken after he ordered the female cashier to lie on the floor while he added money from the register.
The gun believed used in the robbery was recovered when Ortez was arrested at 9:30 a.m. on October 31, 2012. It was his 62nd birthday. (59)