A Batman-masked suspect was in custody Monday after two robberies in which he brandished a replica air gun in Westminster, police said.
The suspect, who is believed to be in his 20s, was being held in the Westminster jail, according to Officer Rachel Archambault. Investigators were working to confirm his identity, she said.
The suspect is accused of using an “air soft” gun to rob a victim of jewelry about 8:30 a.m. at Bolsa Avenue and Ward Street, Archambault said.
An officer spotted him about 20 minutes later near Bolsa Avenue and Purdy Street, Archambault said. The suspect had allegedly robbed another victim at the point of the replica gun, she said. Websites described air soft guns as replicas of the real thing but using air to fire usually non-lethal projectiles.
The suspect ran from the officer into a condominium complex, where he evaded police for several hours, Archambault said.
Officers from Westminster, Fountain Valley and Garden Grove surrounded the building. With help from Orange County sheriff’s deputies in a helicopter and the sheriff’s canine unit, the suspect was found about 11 a.m. and taken into custody without incident, Archambault said.
Jessie Hayden Elementary School at 14782 Eden St. was locked down for a time during the search for the suspect, Archambault said.
— Wire reports