Murphy's Market grand theft embezzlement suspect held to answer on charges; Michael Noriega takes Judge Miles' warning from last hearing seriously and shows up for court

Michael Noriega took Judge Marilyn Miles's warning seriously and showed up for his preliminary hearing today and was held to answer on the charges. Arraignment on information for his jury trial will take place on August 25.

Deputy District Attorney Brie Bennett presented two witnesses, Murphy's Market Controller and Director of Human Resources, David Breisacher and APD Officer Vincent B'Oconnor.

Noriega was suspected of embezzling after discrepancies showed up on a computer report and his usage of the safe transaction feature on the Sunnybrae location was reviewed.

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Jun 25, 2015

Murphy's Market grand theft embezzlement suspect finally shows up for court, given one more chance,

A warrant surrender was scheduled this afternoon at 1:30 for Michael Noriega by his public defender.

Before court, Noriega's attorney Casey Russo asked him why he didn't show up for court, why he doesn't keep the paper with dates and advised him he may be remanded into custody.

He failed to show up for his preliminary hearing o June 17 and a bench warrant was issued with bail set at $30,000. He also failed to appear for his intervention but then showed up on June 8 for a warrant surrender. Judge Miles stated this in court this afternoon.

He did show up today. And both the DA and Judge Marilyn Miles gave him one more chance.

"Given that he signed up for warrant surrender  a day after he failed to show up for the preliminary hearing, we will give him one more chance," said Deputy District Attorney Jackie Pizzo.

Judge Miles sternly admonished Noriega, "If it is not important enough for you to remember dates, next you fail to appear, you will be in jail."

Noriega waived time and Intervention was set for August 4 at 3 p.m.; Preliminary hearing for August 12 at 8:30 a.m.

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Jun 17, 2015

Suspect charged with embezzlement against Murphy's market fails to show up for court after warrant recalled the last time

Michael Noriega failed to show up for court a second time. Today, it was for his preliminary hearing scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Judge John Feeney called his case again at 9:20 and Noriega was still a no show, nor did he contact his attorney Mr. Casey Russo. DDA Jackie Pizzo asked for a bench wareant which was issued. Bail was set at $30,000.

Jun 8, 2015

Murphy's market grand theft embezzlement suspect not remanded on warrant surrender, preliminary date remains June 17

A disposition and reset hearing was scheduled today at 2 p.m. for Michael Noriega in Courtroom 2. There was a warrant held for Noriega because he failed to appear at the last court hearing. However, he was not remanded into custody. The preliminary hearing date "remained set." Mr. Casey Russo from the Public Defender's Office is representing Noriega. DDA Whitney Barnes was in court for the People. She told Judge Marilyn Miles the estimate is an "hour and half."

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Jun 4, 2015

Man charged with grand theft embezzlement of Murphy's Market is also charged with possession of heroin

A disposition and rest hearing is scheduled for June 8 at 2 p.m. and a preliminary examination for June 17 for Michael Joseph Noriega, who is charged with allegedly embezzling money from Murphy's Market.

Count 1 is Grand theft embezzlement, a felony and Count 2 is possession of a controlled substance, heroin. Noriega is represented by the Public Defender's office.