San Bernardino Man Who Robbed 28 Food and Retail Stores During Five-Month Crime Spree Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison

          LOS ANGELES – A San Bernardino man who robbed more than two dozen retail and fast-food stores during a five-month span in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison.

          David Sanchez, 41, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi. Sanchez pleaded guilty on June 21 to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery.

          From November 2020 to April 2021, Sanchez robbed 28 fast food restaurants and retail stores. In each robbery, he brandished what appeared to be a firearm – but was in fact a BB gun – and demanded money from the cash registers. The robberies netted a total of at least $3,853.

          Sanchez admitted in his plea agreement to robbing stores and food shops in Lynwood, Long Beach, South Gate, San Bernardino, Palmdale, Compton, Whittier, Fontana and Bellflower. The robberies targeted Walgreens, Circle K, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Subway, El Rey Supermarket, Lynwood Farmer’s Market, Family Dollar Store, Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza and Dollar Tree outlets.

          “This is a crime that leaves lasting stress and trauma that victims remember for their entire lives,” the government wrote in its sentencing memorandum. “Each victim is forced to return work at these locations and deal with customers, never knowing if they will again be robbed or threatened with a dangerous weapon.”

          The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

          Assistant United States Attorney Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.