Deputies investigating 2 robberies, attempted robbery at gas stations just miles apart
Sheriff’s officials are investigating a string of armed robberies after two gas stations were robbed at gunpoint and another was nearly robbed over a 45-minute period. The alleged suspect fired at least one round during the third robbery that happened in Perris. Although the other two gas stations are located in Moreno Valley, the three locations are less than 8 miles apart.
Deputies assigned to the Moreno Valley and Perris Police Departments began investigating the incidents late Tuesday evening, after the three robberies were reported.
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Although officials have not stated whether the string of robberies were related, deputies have gathered evidence, including surveillance video, in an effort to identify the suspect(s) involved in the three incidents.
Deputies from Moreno Valley and Perris PD’s are investigating three robberies that happened just a few miles apart late Tuesday night. William Hayes/OC Hawk News photo
According to Riverside Sheriff’s spokesperson Investigator Armando Muñoz, deputies assigned to Moreno Valley PD responded to the first robbery about 10:30 p.m., Tuesday night. The robbery was reported at a Chevron on the 12400 block of Heacock St.
The 911 caller reported that an adult male had entered the store, robbed the location of an unknown amount of cash, and then fled from the scene.
A few minutes later, deputies received reports of an attempted robbery at a Shell gas station located less than 500 feet away on Heacock, on the other side of the 60 Freeway. According to the 911 caller, an adult male had brandished a gun after entering the store but eventually fled without taking any money when the victim hid at the back of the store.
A clerk at the gas station later said the alleged suspect had tried coming into the Food Mart store through the front door but found the door was locked. He then came into the business through a side door and placed a handgun on the counter while staring at the store’s register.
The terrified clerk said he ran to the back of the store and hid in a storage room, at which time the suspect grabbed his gun off the counter and fled from the business without taking anything.
About 45 minutes later, while Moreno Valley police officers were investigating the first two incidents, deputies from Perris Police Department received reports of another gas station robbery that had just occurred.
The Chevron is on the 700 block of Ramona Expressway, near Webster Ave., and is just 10 minutes away from the other two locations.
Perris PD deputies learned that an adult male entered the station’s Extra Mile store and pulled a handgun on the store clerk. The man then took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled from the scene.
Officials located a shell casing believed left behind after a man reportedly fired a gun while robbing a gas station. William Hayes/OC Hawk News photo
As the suspect left the business he reportedly fired a single round from his handgun and deputies later recovered a shell casing left at the scene.
It was not immediately known if the alleged robber had fired the gun at the clerk or why he discharged his weapon.
Deputies were later seen interviewing employees and other potential witnesses at nearby restaurant’s Subway and Alberto’s, as well as other area businesses.
As the investigations were continuing, members of the department’s Forensic Service Bureau were observed at the gas stations documenting, photographing, and collecting evidence related to the robberies and attempted robbery.
No injuries were reported as a result of any of the robberies.
Citing the ongoing investigations, Muñoz later said he could not yet confirm if the robberies and attempted robbery were related and that all three investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Moreno Valley PD at (951) 486-6700, or Perris PD at (951) 210-1000. Callers can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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William Hayes/OC Hawk News photos
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Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 27 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 14 – soon to be 15 – grandchildren.