Suspect in Submarina Robbery Arrested at Pechanga Casino

Updated at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 6; originally posted at 9:15 p.m. Dec. 5 

A Temecula man suspected of robbing a Murrieta sandwich shop was behind bars Thursday evening, according to police.

Juan Jose Castillo, 28, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. Thursday inside Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, stated Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, in a news release.

Castillo is suspected of entering Submarina California Subs, 33040 Antelope Road in Murrieta, just before 6:20 p.m. Wednesday and demanding cash from the employees.

Police said no one was injured during the incident in which an undetermined amount of cash was taken.

The suspect was described by employees as 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing between 230 and 250 pounds, police Sgt. Dave Baca said at the time.

He had a darker complexion and possibly light-colored eyes, and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, yellow Lakers shorts and a blue bandana over his face, Baca said.

Employees told police the robber drove away in a gray Nissan Armada.

A short time later, that SUV was found abandoned with flat tires near the intersection of Scott and Menifee roads, about a mile from the sandwich shop.

Police responded to investigate, but the suspect was not immediately located.

Thursday evening, Conrad said Murrieta police detectives arrived at Pechanga Casino, where they took Castillo into custody “without incident.”

"Detectives recognized the name of the registered owner of the Nissan Armada as someone who associated with Castillo," Conrad said. "Special enforcement team detectives then tracked Castillo to Pechanga."

Castillo was booked at Southwest Detention Center near Murrieta on suspicion of robbery, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hypodermic needle and probation violation, according to Conrad.

Jail booking information indicates that Castillo was released Friday on $30,000 bond and was due back in court Jan. 30, 2014.