Suspect in 78 Robberies to Be Charged

An ex-convict accused of committing an unprecedented number of robberies throughout Riverside County over a seven-month span--including at least one in Murrieta--is slated to be arraigned today on 250 additional charges.

Sergio Nicolas Lopez, 31, could face multiple life sentences if convicted of multiple counts of robbery, as well kidnapping to commit robbery, carjacking and other allegations.

The defendant targeted fashion-based businesses, such as hair salons or clothing stores, as well as sandwich and yogurt shops, clearing out registers and targeting both employees and patrons, according to Williamson.

The hold-ups occurred between October 2010 and last April, during the same time several businesses in Murrieta were targeted--with the same M.O.

Riverside County District Attorney's Office Spokesman John Hall said at least one of the robberies in Murrieta has been tied to this suspect.

Lopez, who remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, was arrested May 12 on suspicion of holding up Anna's Linens in Indio.

At the time, the defendant was connected to 70 other robberies in the county, encompassing 20 cities and unincorporated communities, according to sheriff's officials.

Sheriff's Sgt. Don Williamson called the spree unprecedented.

"By all accounts of personnel involved, these crimes represent the most prolific robbery series in the history of Riverside County,'' Williamson said.

Since then, investigators have tied Lopez to more than 200 other alleged crimes. The District Attorney's Office will file an amended criminal complaint today, during a previously scheduled status conference at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. Lopez is expected to enter a plea to all of the new counts at that time, according to D.A.'s office spokesman John Hall.

The reputed gang member was convicted as a juvenile of murder in June 1993 in Los Angeles County, according to court documents. He served his time to adulthood.

In an interview with sheriff's Investigator Matt Diaz following his arrest, Lopez allegedly confessed to nine robberies and acknowledged he was unemployed and "used these robberies to fund his lifestyle,'' Diaz said.

There was a break in the case when Indio police pursued Lopez's vehicle following the Anna's Linens robbery. The alleged bandit bolted from the car but left behind an identification card and money taken during the robbery, Diaz said.

Lopez was located hiding in a storage shed and taken into custody without incident less than two weeks later.

--City News Service