Homeless man gets 7 years for Chester Avenue robbery

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A homeless man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing another homeless man with a pellet gun on Chester Avenue, according to court records.

John Williams III, 43, was found guilty last month of robbery and providing false identification to police. He has a lengthy criminal history, including felony assault and vehicle theft convictions.

On Dec. 17, Williams displayed a pellet gun as he demanded the victim hand over items, prosecutors said. The other man dropped his belongings and walked away.

Williams followed him, prosecutors said, and the man yelled at the occupant of a nearby car to call 911. The man also called 911 after running to Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Police found Williams at a strip mall and located both the pellet gun and the victim’s belongings, prosecutors said. He initially gave officers a false name when arrested.

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