String Of Armed Robberies In Temecula Leads To Arrest

TEMECULA, CA — A felon suspected of holding up three Temecula businesses last month is now behind bars, but investigators believe there could be more victims.

San Bernardino County resident Sean Truman Harris, 34, was arrested around 10:15 p.m. Friday in the Sycamore Canyon area of Moreno Valley, according to jail records.

Wednesday he pleaded not guilty to three counts of armed robbery, according to court records. He is due back in court April 20 and remains jailed at Cois Byrd Detention Center in lieu of $500,000 bail.

According to a report from sheriff's Sgt. Frank Tiburzio, Harris committed three armed robberies in Temecula between March 20 and March 27. The Rodeway Inn in Old Town Temecula, a 76 gas station, and a Subway shop were all allegedly held up by Harris during that timespan.

During the alleged robberies, Harris brandished a weapon and demanded cash from the employees. He left the businesses "on foot or in a newer 4-door grey compact vehicle," according to the sergeant's report.

Images (see above) obtained from video surveillance cameras helped investigators identify Harris as the suspect, and they believe he may have committed other armed robberies in Southern California.

Tiburzio's report described Harris as a 6-foot-three-inch-tall white male adult weighing 190 pounds with light brown hair and blue eyes. He also has "a distinct tattoo" on his right hand; he was seen wearing "a distinct black sweatshirt with two red stripes down the sleeves," according to the report.

Court records show Harris has a lengthy criminal history that includes, among other convictions, theft, burglary, and stealing from an elder/dependent adult.

Anyone with information about any additional robberies is asked to contact Investigator Joseph Marquez at 951-696-3045 or Sergeant Frank Tiburzio at 951-696-3043 from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Southwest Station.