Hispanic store robbers plead not guilty

Kingsgate resident Luis Fernando Koyoc-ek, 33, and Woodinville resident Oscar Chavarria-Sotelo, 24, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of first-degree robbery at a March 3 arraignment.

March 6, 2009 5:59 pm
A Kirkland Police sketch of one of the accused men
A Kirkland Police sketch of one of the accused men

Kingsgate resident Luis Fernando Koyoc-ek, 33, and Woodinville resident Oscar Chavarria-Sotelo, 24, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of first-degree robbery at a March 3 arraignment. The men are accused of targeting several Hispanic businesses on the Eastside beginning last November, including the Mi Tierra restaurant and store in Totem Square and Tres Hermanos in Juanita.

Both are still held at King County Jail, Koyoc-Ek in lieu of $100,000 bail and Chavarria-Sotelo in lieu of $50,000 bail. Their next scheduled court appearance is March 16. If convicted of all charges, the two could each face 10 to 14 years in prison.