Local News in Brief : Man Queried in 30 Pizzeria Heists
Aman awaiting trial for allegedly robbing a Sylmar pizza parlor is being investigated in connection with 30 similar crimes in the last six months, Los Angeles police said.
Police identified the suspect as Paul Dennis Fletcher, 28, of Fullerton, who was arrested last week after the Sept. 11 armed robbery of a Shakey’s Pizza Parlor on Foothill Boulevard. Police Detective Bob Brunzell said Fletcher was placed in a line-up at Los Angeles County Jail last Saturday before witnesses to robberies of pizza parlors in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, and in Nevada and Arizona.
Brunzell said most of the robberies were at Shakey’s restaurants and involved losses ranging from $200 to $1,500. He said police suspect Fletcher needed the money to pay off gambling debts.
Brunzell said police are trying to link Fletcher to “between 25 and 30” pizza parlor robberies. He said that 18 witnesses appeared at the line-up.
Fletcher, who goes to trial Jan. 30 in the Sylmar robbery, has not yet been charged with any of the other robberies, Brunzell said.
Fletcher is being held at the County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.
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