San Diego Robbery-Spree Suspects Plead Guilty

SAN DIEGO, CA – Two men pleaded guilty Thursday to carrying out a spree of armed robberies at 10 Metro PCS cellphone stores and a Subway sandwich shop in the San Diego area over a month-long period.

Justin Wayne Caldwell, 31, and Carlos Adolfo Soto, 40, admitted to threatening employees with a machete, electric stun gun and pellet pistol during the crimes, which took place between Jan. 25 and Feb. 21, 2017.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the offenses, according to prosecutors.

During the series of robberies, Soto would barge into a targeted business wielding a weapon and demanding mobile phones and cash, court documents state. Caldwell typically waited outside in his vehicle, serving as getaway driver, though he also entered a targeted store armed on at least one occasion.

San Diego police arrested Soto in Pacific Beach following a foot chase during which he dropped merchandise stolen during the final robbery. Officers arrested Caldwell in his car, which was parked nearby.

"After striking fear in the hearts of San Diego-area store clerks, these serial robbers were apprehended and charged due to the persistent efforts of dedicated local and federal law enforcement officers," U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said. "Thanks to these efforts our community can rest easier, knowing that the culprits have been brought to justice."

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock