Two suspects have been arrested after a deadly spree of armed robberies at 7-Eleven gas stations in multiple cities in Southern California, police officials announced at a press conference Friday.
The two suspects — Malik Patt, 20, and Jason Payne, 44 — were both from the Los Angeles area and are believed to have robbed six 7-Elevens at gunpoint across the Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties early Monday morning. The armed robberies resulted in the deaths of two people and injured three others. One suspect is believed to be connected to a homicide and other crimes in Southern California, according to Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton.
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“The public now should rest and understand that these individuals have been taken into custody,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said at the press conference. “They need to know that the disposition, at least on this primary suspect — we want to make sure he does not and has no chance of being released.”
Police officials said they believe some attacks were connected, but it was unclear whether the attacks in Riverside, Ontario, Upland, and La Habra were.
The 7-Eleven franchise encouraged its Los Angeles locations to close down Tuesday to allow law enforcement to conduct an investigation, as well as for safety reasons.
“We are grateful that the Orange County District Attorney has announced local law enforcement has apprehended a suspect related to the recent violent incidents,” the company said Friday, according to the Times of San Diego. “We will continue to fully support law enforcement with their investigation.”
The franchise additionally offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman, but it is unclear whether the arrests stemmed from the rewards.
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The robberies occurred on July 11, the day the franchise celebrated its anniversary. Investigators are still looking into the motive of the suspects but have not commented on whether the date had anything to do with the crimes.
Brea victim Matthew Hirsch, 40, was shot and killed in one of the attacks, and Matthew Rule, 24, was killed in the parking lot of a Santa Ana store. The victim in the Riverside robbery, Jason Harrell, 46, told ABC7 that he lost multiple teeth when the gunman shot him in the mouth. He survived the attack after the bullet went through his cheek. Two other people were injured in the La Habra outlet and are expected to survive.
