SANTA ANA, Calif. (KNX) – Two people were arrested in a string of robberies and deadly shootings at 7-Eleven stores across Southern California, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Chief David Valentin with the Santa Ana Police Department said Malik Patt, 20, and Jason Payne,44, both of Los Angeles, were arrested in the 9100 block of West 23 Street at 1:10 p.m.
The robberies and shootings occurred Monday. The robberies occurred at store locations in San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Orange County.
Santa Ana police said Matthew Rule, 24, was fatally shot outside the store on East 17th Street. Chief Valentin revealed that Rule was not the intended the victim and that the suspect was looking to rob someone else. Rule, however, stepped in to "redirect" the suspect before being gunned down.
Brea police said Matthew Hirsch, 40, was shot and killed while working inside the 7-Eleven store at Lambert Road and North Brea Boulevard.
Two people were also shot at the 7-Eleven location on E. Whittier Boulevard. La Habra police said the two were taken to the hospital and were expected to survive.
During the press conference, Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton with the Los Angeles Police Department added that a deadly shooting on Parthenia Street was linked to the robberies and that at least one of the suspects is believed to be connected to other crimes in the Los Angeles area.
7-Eleven, which offered a $100,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the suspect, released the following statement regarding the arrests:
"We are grateful that the Orange County District Attorney has announced local law enforcement has apprehended a suspect related to the recent violent incidents. We will continue to fully support law enforcement with their investigation."
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