Arrestee suspected of 33 robberies in 3 counties
A Fontana mechanic suspected of robbing 33 gas stations and mini-marts in Riverside, San Diego and Orange counties was arrested early Wednesday morning in Tustin, authorities said.
Ernest Franklin Rickett was taken into custody about 3 a.m., shortly after he allegedly robbed gas stations in Lake Forest and Tustin.
Rickett, a mechanic near the San Diego airport, is alleged to have committed most of the robberies along freeway offramps before or after his shift. Police believe 18 of the heists occurred in Riverside County, all in the last five weeks.
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.
