Sorry, Man: Lake Forest's 'Apologetic Bandit' Sentenced to 5 Years

The so-called “Apologetic Bandit,” who robbed multiple convenience stores and gas stations in Orange County, was sentenced today to five years in prison.

Farhad Sharifi, 21, of Aliso Viejo, pleaded guilty March 18 to eight counts of second- degree robbery.

A half-dozen of the stickups occurred in 2013 -- on Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Nov. 12, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, with two holdups occurring on that date -- and the other two on Jan. 23 and Jan. 31, 2014.

His year-long robbery spree, included one at an Arco station in Mission Viejo, according to a sheriff’s press release.

In that incident, the suspect left, saying: “”Have a good night, man. Sorry.”

Sharifi was taken into custody after a 3 a.m. holdup at a 7-Eleven store at 24386 Muirlands Blvd. in Lake Forest. Deputies followed the suspect’s vehicle to Rockfield Boulevard and El Toro Road, where he was arrested following a foot chase.

Deputies recovered a replica handgun and a mask used during the robberies. Sharifi got his moniker because of his penchant for saying he was sorry during stickups, according to Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.

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