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A Fremont man was convicted on charges of assault and robbery in a San Francisco court after he lured, tied up and robbed a romantic partner in 2022, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Monday.
Ronald Anthony Silveria, a 27-year-old resident of Fremont, faces up to 12 years in state prison after a jury convicted of first-degree robbery, misdemeanor assault, false imprisonment and identify theft. His sentencing is set for May 22.
Silveria found the victim through the dating app Grindr and met him at a motel in San Francisco, Jenkins’ office said. After spending some time in the room together — the victim was already naked — Silveria confronted the victim with a gun and tied him up, authorities said.
Silveria went through the victim’s belongings, demanded passwords to bank accounts and hit him, according to the DA’s statement. Silvera eventually agreed to release the victim if he took him to an ATM to withdraw $400.
After allowing the victim to dress and forcing him to clean the room — presumably in an attempt to hide any evidence of his presence — Silvera forced the victim to drive to a local ATM, where he then refused to return his car keys, prosecutors said.
Silveria drove the victim across the Bay Bridge and left him in Emeryville at 4:30 a.m. before stealing his car and belongings, including an iPad, phone and wallet.
“The jury’s verdict holds Mr. Silveria accountable for his despicable crimes,” Jenkins said in the press release. “My office will always stand with victims of crime and work to ensure there are consequences for criminal behavior.”
Originally published at Caelyn Pender