A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies at 7-Eleven stores across Los Angeles and authorities believe he may have other victims.
For nearly a month, between April 9 and May 7, investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department say Jesus Javier Contreras-Reyes hit multiple convenience stores, robbing them at gunpoint.
In each of the instances, the 28-year-old entered the store, selected an item as if to make a purchase and then approached the counter. In footage of one of the robberies, Reyes pulls out cash to pay for drink while the cashier rings him and opens the register.
“He then produced a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband, racked the slide and demanded money from the cashier,” LAPD said in a news release. “After obtaining U.S. currency from the register, the suspect fled on foot before leaving the scene in a vehicle.”
In at least one of the holdups, a customer walked into the store just as Reyes returned the gun to his waistband and was pulling money from the till, while watching the patron walk behind him.
LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, in coordination with the South Gate Police Department, conducted a thorough investigation into the robberies, which led to the 28-year-old’s identification.
On May 7, while detectives were preparing to serve to search and arrest warrants for Reyes, he robbed another 7-Eleven in South Gate.
“He was apprehended shortly after the incident,” police said. “During the arrest, officers recovered a loaded firearm and other evidentiary items from his vehicle.”
The 28-year-old was taken into custody and booked for armed robbery with enhancements and is being held in an LAPD jail facility.
Detectives have released numerous photos of Reyes, as well as video footage, because it is believed he has additional unreported victims who may be able to identify him.
Anyone who has been a victim or who has information regarding the investigation is urged to contact LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division Det. Delph and Alas at 213-486-6840. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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