Murder Charge For Man Accused Of Knocking Down Senior in Robbery

LOS ANGELES, CA — A North Hollywood man is facing murder charges for allegedly knocking down an 89-year-old man who died from the fall during the course of a downtown pharmacy robbery.

Ricardo Macias, 24, is set to be arraigned Thursday in the death of Jack Hernandez. According to prosecutors, Macias tried to steal items from the pharmacy in the 200 block of West Seventh Street on Dec. 20. A security guard confronted him, and as he tried to flee the store, he collided with Hernandez, sending the elderly man sprawling, the District Attorney's Office alleges. Hernandez fell and hit his head. He later died from his injuries at the hospital, according to authorities.

Macias was arrested that day and remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records. He was charged with murder on Dec. 24.

Macias was not charged with robbery or with the alleged assault on a security guard.

He faces up to 25 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock