American Flag Wearing Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested

MISSION VIEJO, CA - In December a man wearing a signature American flag bandanna and heavy flannel shirt would enter businesses across Orange County and San Bernardino, brandish a weapon and steal money at gunpoint. Now, Orange County Sheriffs believe they have found that man.

A resident of Mission Viejo, the 36-year-old man was charged Thursday with nine robberies and an attempted robbery over the past month.

Matthew Scott Rendon was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of committing multiple armed robberies in several cities in Orange and San Bernardino counties, sheriff's officials said.

Rendon was charged with nine counts of second-degree robbery and a count of attempted second-degree robbery, all felonies, according to court records.

The total loss from the robberies was about $3,500. Stores in Aliso Viejo, Chino, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel were hit from Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, sheriff's officials said.

The dates of the robberies are Dec. 1, Dec. 4, Dec. 6, Dec. 11, Dec. 21, and Dec. 30, according to court records. The attempted robbery was alleged to also have happened on Dec. 11, records show.

Rendon is accused of sticking up ice cream shops, game stores and gas stations, officials said.

In addition to armed robbery, Rendon was also booked on suspicion of violating parole, officials said.

OCSD Photo