A reputed gang member accused of jumping out of a car and opening fire on a plainclothes San Diego police detective who was following the suspect's car pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder and shooting at
an occupied vehicle.
Larry Jones, 30, who was ordered held on $1 million bail, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the two felony counts, said Deputy District Attorney Robert Eacret.
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Jones went to prison for nine years after a 2004 conviction for attempted murder and was sentenced to four years in prison after a 2013 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the prosecutor said.
On May 2, a gang detective was following a white Toyota Camry in the Jamacha-Lomita area when the driver -- in an "ambush style" attack -- made a sudden U-turn, Eacret said.
Jones jumped out of the passenger seat and fired at the detective, missing the officer but leaving his car riddled with bullets, the prosecutor alleged.
RELATED | Suspect fires at SDPD car, gunfire exchanged
Patrol units pulled the Camry over on Jamacha Road, but Jones fled on foot and was arrested three days later, Eacret said.
A gun was found in the back seat of the Camry, the prosecutor said.
A second person, 31-year-old Kimberly Denise Hooker, is also charged with attempted murder and shooting at an occupied vehicle. She faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
A readiness conference is set for May 16 and a preliminary hearing for May 18.
