SAN DIEGO — San Diego Police and El Cajon Police Department worked together to catch a man who allegedly went on an armed robbery crime spree that started in Pacific Beach and ended in El Cajon.
San Diego County District Attorney's office says they’re doing everything they can to make sure their suspect, 22-year-old Anthony Caleb Johnson of Lakeside, gets a fair trial.
Prior to the hearing, the judge in the case ruled that media outlets, including CBS 8, cannot show any pictures or video of Johnson in court. Johnson pleaded guilty to all charges.
However, San Diego and El Cajon Police both said Johnson is responsible for a string of armed robberies across San Diego County in less than an hour.
Deputy District Attorney Malak Behrouznami explains why the judge denied bail for Johnson.
“Our case today has a clear message from the court telling San Diego residents, you have to right to feel safe at work. You have the right to feel safe while you’re waiting for an uber when the bars let out in Pacific Beach,” Behrouznami said.
Behrouznami also explains why the judge says Johnson’s face and face tattoos cannot be shown in court.
“To not compromise any sort of investigation or ongoing case, especially where you a series such as this one where identity will be contested,” Behrouznami added.
Despite the visual limitations, Behrouznami says that doesn’t mean Johnson isn’t their suspect in a crime spree that includes several armed robberies in less than an hour.
“He victimized 5 different members of our community. 2 pedestrians and 3 clerks who were just doing their job at odd hours of the night,” Behrouznami said.
- According to prosecutors, on July 10 at 2:10 am., Johnson robbed two people in Pacific Beach at gunpoint.
- At 2:28 a.m., San Diego Police said he robbed a 711 store on Clairemont Drive.
- At 2:45 a.m., SDPD says he robbed another 711 on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.
- At 3:01 a.m., El Cajon Police say Johnson robbed the 711 on Fletcher Parkway.
Lt. Matt Dobbs with San Diego Police Department’s Robbery Unit said that not only did early indications point to these crimes being connected, Lt. Dobbs said these type of crimes are dangerous because they have the potential to turn tragic, quickly.
“El Cajon PD was able to get surveillance footage from their crime that showed the very distinctive tattoos that were on the one suspect’s face and it was actually one of their officers who was able to identify him for us,” Dobbs informed.
Dobbs said while working with El Cajon Police, they were able to get the suspect’s car’s license plates.
“We entered that into the automated license plate reader system, and we were able to show that that vehicle was in close proximity to all four of the crimes around the time they occurred,” Lt. Dobbs finished.
The investigation will continue and Johnson’s next court date is set for July 25.
WATCH RELATED: Woman shot and killed at Talmadge apartment complex