YUBA CITY, Calif. (AP) – A man accused of taking two hostages at a Yuba City sporting goods store has pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts. Juan Carlos Alvarez of Modesto was arrested on suspicion of holding two employees hostage at a Big 5 store for more than four hours Sunday in what police have described as a botched robbery. The Marysville Appeal-Democrat reports the 29-year-old Alvarez appeared via video monitor at a hearing Tuesday in Sutter County Superior Court. He is being held without bail at Sutter County Jail. The charges include three counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of assault with a firearm and two counts of false imprisonment. If convicted he faces more than 30 years in prison. Alvarez is due back in court Aug. 15.
Filed under: Local News
