Robbery Suspect to Be Charged Today

A landscaper who police say briefly held an employee at gunpoint while robbing a check-cashing business is expected to be arraigned today on robbery charges, police said.

David Shaw, a 44-year-old Moreno Valley resident, saw the employee entering the Popular Cash Express with some paperwork about 8:25 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. Believing the papers to be cash, Shaw pulled out a 9-millimeter handgun and demanded money, police said.

Police said Shaw forced the employee to give him $2,500 from one safe, and was trying to get access to a second one, but the employee had tripped a silent alarm.

Officers arrived at the business, located at 15759 Roscoe Blvd., and asked the suspect to hand over his weapon and release the employee, which he did, police said.