The birth date of a teen accused of robbing food delivery workers could determine whether his case is tried in juvenile or adult court.

Carlos Javier Vaddy Jr., of 532 Woodward St.,  faces a possible 5 to 10 years in state prison for his role in the May 2005 robberies.

Defense attorney Cory J. Miller says Vaddy was 17, not 18 as police contend, at the time of the crimes.

He has asked Lancaster County Judge Dennis E. Reinaker to move Vaddy's case from adult court to juvenile court, where his client stands to receive a more lenient punishment if convicted.

The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Larsen, said Vaddy should be tried as an adult because of the severity of the crimes.

Vaddy, an aspiring musical artist and clothing designer, says he was born April 15, 1988.

Prosecutors contend Vaddy was born April 15, 1987, and that Vaddy gave Lancaster city police that birth date when they arrested him.

Miller said he is trying to get Vaddy's birth certificate from his mother to verify his birth date.

"I have not been able to get in contact with his mother," Miller said. "His immediate family is not available."

Vaddy and five others are accused of calling in food orders to pizza and sandwich shops and robbing delivery people of food and cash when they arrived.

In addition to Vaddy, the suspects include his brother, Carlos Manuel Vaddy, 15, also of 532 Woodward St.; Corey Gray, 19, of 1805 Wilderness Road; and Ishmael Lebron Gonzalez, 19, of Lancaster. They each face four counts of robbery and conspiracy.

In addition, Tanya Maria Nogueras, 20, of 565 S. Christian St., is charged with two counts of robbery and conspiracy, and  Luis Guzman, 20, of 29 Howard Ave., was charged with one count of robbery and conspiracy.

Gray, Guzman and Gonzalez each pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 5 to 10 years in state prison.

Nogueras is awaiting trial, and Carlos Vaddy is awaiting a decision on whether his case will be transferred to juvenile court.

The robberies began in May 2005 when a Bubba's Breakaway delivery person was robbed at gunpoint in the 500 block of Southeast Avenue shortly before 11 p.m.

The next night, delivery workers from Bubba's and Metro Express were robbed in the 700 block of Hilton Drive.

Police began an undercover investigation, beefed up patrols in the areas of the robberies and told pizza and sandwich shops to contact officers if they received an order that sounded suspicious.

Two days later, Detective Jarrad Berkihiser was patrolling the 700 block of Garnet Avenue when a Pizza Hut delivery person was robbed in that block.

Berkihiser broadcast a description of the suspects over the radio, and  minutes later, Officer Richard Mendez spotted Guzman and Carlos Javier Vaddy walking in the area. The suspects were arrested.

Police later identified the other suspects and said they found black clothing worn by the robbers in Nogueras' home.

City detectives and a psychology  professional testified at Tuesday's hearing before Reinaker.

Detective Robert L. Deeter said he interviewed Vaddy about the robberies on May 22, 2005.

"He said he didn't have anything to do with it," Deeter said. "He was arrogant, smug and standoff-ish."

Lori Myers, a forensic psychology  associate hired by the defense, said she evaluated Vaddy for about three hours in October at Lancaster County Prison.

She said she believes Vaddy can be rehabilitated in the juvenile system.

"Carlos seemed very motivated to go on and make something of his life," Myers said. "He wants to design clothing or go into the music field.

"He wants to get out of the streets. He wants more for himself."

Reinaker put off making a decision until Vaddy's birth date can be verified.

E-mail Brett Lovelace at blovelace@lnpnews.com.