2 L.A. men arrested in 7-Eleven crime spree
Robberies: 2 dead, 3 wounded across SoCal; 1 more killing may be linked
Two people suspected in a string of crimes at 7-Elevens in three Southern California counties that left two people dead and three others wounded have been arrested, authorities said Friday.
In their announcement, law enforcement officials also tied a third killing, in Los Angeles, and other potential robberies, to the same “multiple-county crime spree.”
“It has chilled our communities,” Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said during a news conference at the Santa Ana Police Department. “Because we know 7-Eleven is the quintessential convenience store. That is where our communities shop … We know we can't undo the crimes that have been inflicted against the community, but this gives a sense, at least, of finality.”
The pair was arrested 1:10p.m. Friday at 1900 W. 23rd Street in LosAngeles. The men, both LosAngeles residents, were identified as Malike Patt, 20, and Jason Payne, 44. Patt was described as the primary suspect.
“This was a reign of terror… but the journey has just begun,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said before laying out possible charges that included murder, attempted murder and robbery. He said the suspects likely would be prosecuted in Orange County.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and a task force that includes the Brea, Santa Ana and Fullerton police departments, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office, made the arrests.
Patt was booked into jail in Santa Ana. Payne was being treated for unspecified injuries before booking. Patt was believed to be the person wearing the hooded sweatshirt who was photographed during several robberies, police said.
Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin said detectives had been trailing the suspects “for a bit” but provided no other details other
than technology played an important role in the identification of the suspects.
Law enforcement officials did not identify a motive for the killings, or specify Payne's suspected role in the crime spree.
Nor did officials say why they believe 7-Elevens were targeted, or why anyone was shot outside a store, such as a man in La Habra just sitting in his car nearby.
“We are thrilled to announce a conclusion to a multi-county crime spree. This investigation covered extensive work from various agencies and thankfully we can bring resolution to this crime wave today,” Valentin said.
LosAngeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said the crimes in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties appeared to be related to a string of robberies and a July 9 homicide in LosAngeles. The body of the victim in the Los Angeles killing, who is believed to be a homeless man, was found in a roadway about 200 yards from a 7-Eleven that had been robbed, officials said.
“We believe there are a number of crimes in the Los Angeles region that will be linked back to the suspects,” Hamilton said.
The 7-Eleven Corp. welcomed Friday's news.
“We are grateful that the Orange County District Attorney has announced local law enforcement has apprehended suspects related to the recent violent incidents. We will continue to fully support law enforcement with their investigation,” a 7-Eleven spokesman said in an email on Friday afternoon.
Brea police had taken the lead on the investigation. However, detectives from several agencies have met, both in person and electronically.
“These crimes have broken our hearts,” Brea Police Chief Adam Hawley said.
The conveniencestore chain had offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.
The spree appears to have started in Ontario around midnight on July 11 when a man displayed a handgun and demanded money but did not fire. About 45 minutes later, a 7-Eleven in Upland was robbed, with the suspect taking $500 or so.
The robber apparently went to a 7-Eleven on La Sierra Avenue in Riverside about 1:50 a.m. and shot a customer in the head before fleeing, leaving him in grave condition.
Then, in Santa Ana, at 3:25 a.m., Matthew Rule, 24, was shot and killed in a 7-Eleven parking lot in the 300 block of East 17th Street during an attempted robbery. Authorities say Rule was not the intended target but was shot when he stepped in to help someone else who was being robbed.
Less than an hour later, a clerk was shot to death at a Brea 7-Eleven. Finally, at 4:55a.m. in neighboring La Habra, a clerk and a customer were wounded by gunfire at a 7-Eleven.
Additionally, LAPD is investigating a string of armed robberies on July 9, two days earlier, in the San Fernando Valley for any possible ties to the crimes at the 7-Elevens.
Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said the man shot in Riverside, identified by family members as Jason Harrel, 46, was still fighting for his life. Gonzalez said his detectives worked continuously on the case from the shooting to the making of the arrests.
“It was complete relief that these guys were in custody because the way they were going, I don't think they were going to stop,” he said after the news conference. “It's not just serial robberies, he turned into a serial killer.”
“We are thrilled to announce a conclusion to a multi-county crime spree. This investigation covered extensive work from various agencies and thankfully we can bring resolution to this crime wave today.”
— David Valentin, Santa Ana police chief