Crime & Safety

Murrieta Man Accused of Holding Up Former Employer, Using Money to Pay Rent

The suspected armed robbery was reported just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mitra's Cafe, 39112 Winchester Road, in unincorporated Murrieta near Temecula city boundaries, a sheriff's sergeant said.

An armed robbery suspect was successfully taken into custody Tuesday night in Murrieta shortly after allegedly holding up a restaurant where he previously worked, then using the stolen money to pay his rent, a sheriff’s official said.

The suspected hold-up was reported just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mitra’s Cafe, 39112 Winchester Road, in unincorporated Murrieta near Temecula city boundaries, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Fredericks.

The restaurant owner and an employee had allegedly been confronted by a Hispanic male adult wearing a dark-colored hat and ski goggles who entered through a back door, the sergeant said in a statement.

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“The suspect brandished a knife and demanded cash from employees. No customers were present. The suspect opened the cash register and removed an undisclosed amount of currency before fleeing the business on foot,” Fredericks said.

The restaurant owner told responding sheriff’s deputies that he recognized the suspect as a former employee, 25-year-old Albert Torres, of Murrieta.

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Deputies worked with Murrieta police and a sheriff’s helicopter crew to track Torres to an address in the 25000 block of Blackwood Road, off Alta Murrieta Drive.

Torres had just arrived at the location on his bicycle, and had reportedly proceeded to pay rent to his landlord using bills of small denominations believed to have been taken during the alleged robbery, Fredericks said.

“During a search of Torres' residence, deputies located the weapon and clothing used by the suspect during the robbery, as well as unlawfully possessed prescription narcotics and an illegal short-barrel rifle,” Fredericks said.

Torres was arrested and booked at the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of robbery, possession of an unlawful firearm, and possession of a controlled substance. He was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail as of Wednesday morning, jail records show, and was due in court Friday.

Anyone with information regarding the incident was encouraged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Southwest Station at 951-696-3000.


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