Los Angeles men facing robbery trial Three...

Los Angeles men facing robbery trial

Three Los Angeles men, who allegedly robbed a Newport Beach

jewelry store at gunpoint in October, will face trial on multiple

charges, a judge decided Thursday.

Herbert Nelson Kirkwood, 31, Dominick Edwards, 32, and Kenney

Dwayne Watkins, 27, are charged with robbery, attempted robbery and

attempted carjacking. Prosecutors say the three men tried to rob

Jewels by Joseph at Corona del Mar Plaza Oct. 27.

The store had played host to a $2.3-million, 13.42-carat diamond

until only a few days before the robbery.

The three defendants made off with $1 million in jewels before

they were caught by Newport Beach police, Orange County Deputy Dist.

Atty. Scott Zidbeck said Thursday.

That amount makes them eligible for a sentencing enhancement of

three years on top of any other sentences they receive.

Kirkwood and Watkins also face sentence enhancements because they

have alleged gang ties, Zidbeck said.

That could add another 10 years to their sentences if convicted.

The three men are scheduled for arraignment Feb. 1 at Central

Court. Each is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Two men carjack visitor from Ireland

A man visiting from Ireland was carjacked outside a motel Tuesday

afternoon, police said.

Two men pointed a shotgun or rifle at the man outside a motel in

the 1500 block of South Coast Drive at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday,

police reported.

They ordered him to give them his car.

He complied and gave them the car -- a rented, light-gold

Chevrolet Impala, Sgt. Marty Carver said.

-- Marisa O’Neil