Crime & Safety

Three Men Arrested in Connection to Winchester Del Taco Robbery

Sheriff's officials say a knife-wielding man tried to steal cash from a local fast food restaurant and escape into a waiting car.

Three men are behind bars in Murrieta Tuesday, suspected for their role in a hold-up at a local fast food restaurant.

Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. G. Williams reports that a knife-wielding man entered the Del Taco on Benton Road in Winchester around 6:45 a.m. Sunday, demanding money.

However, the man didn't get what he came for.

"The manager refused to comply with his demand and the suspect fled the restaurant and drove away in a blue vehicle occupied by two male accomplices," Williams said in a press release.

A short time later, a deputy who heard the suspect and vehicle description on the police radio spotted that car speeding in the Winchester area, according to Williams.

"The deputy stopped the vehicle and located the robbery suspect hiding in the backseat, along with the knife used in the robbery," the sergeant said. 

Three San Jacinto men were taken into custody at the time.

21-year-old Brentyn Rooney, 19-year-old Zachary Travis and 18-year-old Ruben Reed were all arrested on charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, according to Williams.

What's more-- one of the men, Rooney, is suspected in several other local crimes of a similar nature, according to the sergeant. 

"Brentyn Rooney has been sought by law enforcement for nine other similar robberies in the areas of Hemet, San Jacinto, Perris and Menifee over the past month," Williams said.

"Investigators from Hemet P.D., Perris P.D., Menifee P.D., Southwest Station and Hemet Station collaborated on the robbery series and are relieved the suspect is in custody," Williams added.  "A search warrant was served at an address in the San Jacinto area for additional evidence in the case."

As of Tuesday afternoon, all three men remained jailed, according to inmate records.  Bail was set at $30,000 each for Reed and Travis, while Rooney was not eligible for bail, according to records.






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