Victorville man accused of 23 armed robberies in Southern California
A man believed responsible for nearly two dozen armed robberies in four Southern California counties was behind bars Tuesday, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials said.
Giovanny Velasquez, 35, of Victorville, was arrested over the weekend after an “extensive investigation” by detectives linked him to 14 robberies in San Bernardino County and nine others across Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties.
In three robberies in Hesperia over the last two months, Velasquez donned a disguise and wielded a black semi-automatic handgun, investigators said.
After identifying Velasquez as their suspect – officials did not elaborate on how they identified him – they served search warrants on two residences and his car while other deputies took him into custody at Mesquite and Sitting Bull roads in Apple Valley.
Officials said the search turned up evidence linking Velasquez to 23 robberies in all. Because he was already on parole for a residential robbery, he was being held in county jail without bail.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
