Detectives have arrested a suspect dubbed the “Dare Me Bandit” and his accomplice in connection with a series of commercial robberies across San Diego that began in July.
According to police, convenience stores and fast food restaurants were the primary targets of the robbery suspects.
Investigators said the series of at least 12 robberies began on July 22. The most recent heist was on Sept. 24.
In most cases, the primary “Dare Me Bandit” would enter the business, point a handgun at the victim and demand money from the clerk or cashier. In one robbery the suspect fired a shot to prove his weapon was real, police said.
Along the way, the suspect has robbed businesses on Morena Boulevard, Genesee Avenue, Gold Coast Drive, Broadway, Camino Ruiz, Midway Drive, Balboa Avenue, Linda Vista Road and Clairemont Drive.
A recent robbery on Sept. 17 happened at a store on the 3300 block of University Avenue, police said.
Investigators said the accomplice was reportedly involved in at least two of the robberies, allegedly standing at the door of the business and acting as a “look out.”
On Sept. 24, La Mesa Police officers arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with an armed robbery at the 7Q Liquor Store and determined he was the “Dare Me Bandit.”
The suspect’s 23-year-old accomplice was arrested Wednesday for his role in the robbery series.
Police are not releasing the suspects’ names at this time. In witness statements, the main suspect was generally described as a Hispanic male between 20 and 35 years old with a medium build, measuring 5-foot-8 to 6-feet tall, wearing a dark hooded top.
In most robberies, he used a T-shirt or cloth to cover the lower part of his face and wore a glove on the hand that was not holding his gun. The second suspect described as a dark-skinned male in his 20’s with a larger build than the primary suspect.
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