Man, 18, Arrested in Restaurant Robbery
- Share via
Santa Paula police have arrested a man suspected in a string of crimes over the past month, authorities said.
According to police, Octavio Maldonado, 18, was taken into custody Wednesday outside his Santa Paula home one day after a robbery at El Preferido restaurant.
Police also identified him as the prime suspect in the robbery of Los Pinos Market earlier this month.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, a man entered the Harvard Boulevard restaurant, brandished a handgun and demanded money.
The man fled on a bicycle with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.
Authorities said a search of Maldonado’s home turned up an assault rifle and ammunition, which they believe were stolen during a residential burglary.
Maldonado was taken to Ventura County Jail, where he remained Thursday.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
