‘Soda Jerk Bandit’ Hitting Small Liquor Stores; 9 Robbed in O.C.

Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a man they believe is responsible for nine liquor-store holdups throughout Orange County.

The most recent heist occurred Wednesday night at a Newport Beach liquor store, which was robbed of $300.

Dubbed the “Soda Jerk Bandit” by police because he pretends to buy a soda and a bag of chips, the robber now has stolen about $2,700 from nine stores since early August, police believe.

Wednesday’s robbery was similar to the others, according to Bob Fate, a detective with the Costa Mesa Police Department.

About 9 p.m., the man parked a black, mid-to-late ‘90s Ford or Dodge sedan near the Liquor Mini Mart on Jamboree Road and lingered--perhaps removing his license plates--until other customers had left. After browsing the store for soda and chips, he approached the cashier, showed a pistol and demanded money.

“He does the same thing every time. He’s a serial robber who seems to (target) mom-and-pop liquor stores,” Fate said, perhaps because he thinks those stores are less likely to have heavy security or cameras.

The robber doesn’t appear to disguise himself, other than by wearing sunglasses, and seems to work alone, Fate said. During all the robberies, the man wore a black baseball cap with a Nike insignia, and carried what looked like a laptop computer case. Sometimes he uses a green car--also a late model, American-made sedan--to escape. According to videos, police said, he removes the license plates from his getaway cars just before the robbery.

Cameras have captured his image during only two of the robberies--both in Costa Mesa. Other robberies were in Huntington Beach, Tustin, Mission Viejo and Fountain Valley. Police describe the man as 25 to 27, white, 6 feet, about 170 pounds, with dark brown hair and a goatee.

Police ask residents to call (714) 754-5340 if they have information.