A Santa Clarita Valley woman accused of serial theft pleaded no contest Friday in connection with a robbery charge, receiving what the judge referred to as the “mid-range” sentence for her crime, three years in state prison.
SCV Sheriff’s Station officials sought to make an example of Maria Elizabeth De La Torre, 32, of Santa Clarita, who was arrested by deputies following a strong-arm robbery at the Golden Valley Target store in January 2025.
Detectives linked her vehicle and evidence they said was recovered from a search warrant at the Canyon Country home she shared with her co-defendant, Nathaniel Rivas Jr.
A station official referred to the pair as a “Bonnie and Clyde” duo, a reference to the famous couple who robbed and stole their way across the nation in the 1930s.
Station officials considered the store thefts as an “Estes robbery,” when a burglary is elevated to the more serious charge because a suspect uses force or fear on someone to complete the theft. That and the suspected serial nature of the crimes are why the station’s Robbery Unit became involved.
Citing a list of 10 allegations that ended up being filed in the initial complaint, including weapons charges and charges related to other previous felony convictions, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office sought to charge both defendants under Proposition 36.
The voter-approved measure allows law enforcement officials to use Penal Code section 666.1, a so-called “wobbler,” because it can be used as either a misdemeanor or a felony to enhance the potential charges on suspected serial thieves. It also allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if a defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions, according to language on the ballot summary
Ultimately, a judge threw out the felony serial-theft charge after the defendants’ preliminary hearing, but De La Torre was held to answer to: a petty theft with two prior convictions charge; second-degree robbery with an allegation that a firearm was used; assault with a deadly weapon with force, possible great bodily injury; felony possession of a firearm; and felony possession of ammunition.
De La Torre rejected the three-year plea deal in July, but the court’s transcripts indicated she had a change of heart before Friday’s hearing.
In exchange for a no-contest plea, all her other charges were dismissed, according to the minute order.
De La Torre also agreed to make restitution after she is released from state prison. Stuart said that as a strikable violent felony offense, she will need to serve 85% of her sentence, under California law.
She had shoplifting convictions as well as a domestic violence conviction on her record. Rivas’ previous convictions include identity theft, assault and weapons possession.
Her three-year sentence for robbery is expected to run concurrent with her 180-day jail sentence for petty theft.
Stuart had previously issued bench warrants for De La Torre and Rivas, after neither appeared for an Oct. 28 hearing, according to the minute record for L.A. County Superior Court in San Fernando.
Rivas remains out of custody, with a warrant sought for his arrest, and the court expected to consider a hearing on the violation of his bond in November.
