A 28-year-old man suspected in a series of armed convenience store robberies in Los Angeles and South Gate is due back in court later this month to face a series of felony charges.
Jesus Javier Contreras-Reyes was arrested last Wednesday shortly after he allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven store at gunpoint in South Gate, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said he is suspected in a series of 7-Eleven robberies that began April 9. According to the LAPD, Contreras-Reyes would enter a store and pretend to shop, selecting various items before approaching the counter, pulling a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband, racking the slide and demanding money from the clerk. He would then flee in a vehicle.
The final robbery in South Gate last Wednesday occurred as detectives from the LAPD and the South Gate Police Department were preparing to serve search and arrest warrants on the suspect. During the arrest, police recovered a loaded firearm and other evidence from his vehicle, according to the LAPD.
Contreras-Reyes was charged Friday with six counts of second-degree robbery and one count of possession of a firearm without a valid state or federal serial number, according to court records. The robbery charges all include allegations of personal use of a firearm.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, and he is due back in court May 22 in downtown Los Angeles for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial, according to court records.
He remains jailed in lieu of $600,000 bail.
Detectives believe the suspect may have been involved in additional crimes, and they released his photo and encouraged anyone with information to contact Robbery Homicide detectives Delph and Alas at 213-486-6840 or RHDTIPLINE@LAPD.online. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.