Crime & Safety
Man, 25, Arrested As Suspect In Orange Co. Armed-Robbery Spree
Among the victims are a UC Irvine student walking on campus and a motorist with a disabled car, waiting for a tow truck, police said.
IRVINE, CA - A 25-year-old man was arrested this morning in connection with a series of armed robberies in Irvine and Fullerton.
The suspect was identified as Joshua Benbrook of Irvine, police said.
The latest robberies took place Monday.
Find out what's happening in Aliso Viejofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
About 6:20 p.m., a UC Irvine student was walking across the Watson Bridge on campus and the suspect approached, implied he had a gun and instructed the victim to walk to a nearby automated teller machine to withdraw cash, police allege.
Benbrook then allegedly stole the money and fled on foot, police said.
Find out what's happening in Aliso Viejofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Approximately 15 minutes later, at 6:35 p.m., a motorist was waiting for a tow truck in the area of Culver Drive and University Drive after his vehicle broke down,'' according to a police statement.
"The suspect pulled up behind the disabled vehicle, walked up to the victim and engaged him in conversation. Benbrook lured the victim back to the suspect's vehicle and then brandished a firearm from the glove box. Benbrook
stole the victim's wallet and cell phone and fled the scene in a red sedan.''
A campus alert was issued and Irvine and university police began an investigation into the robberies.
They learned that police in Fullerton were investigating a similar robbery that took place in that city about 2:50 a.m. on March 6 at a convenience store in the 2700 block of West Orangethorpe Avenue.
In that case, Benbrook is suspected of brandishing a firearm and robbing food items and money before fleeing in a red sedan.
All three police agencies shared their information and at about 9:30 a.m. today, Irvine police arrested Benbrook as he left his home.
The investigation is ongoing and police are working to determine if Benbrook was involved in any other crimes.
Anyone with additional information or who may have been a victim is encouraged to call Fullerton police Detective Veronica Gardea at (714) 738-6728, Irvine police Detective Victoria Hurtado at (949) 724-7194 or UC Irvine Police Department Detective Sgt. Charles Chon at (949) 824-5223.
--City News Service