Crime & Safety

'Dare Me Bandit' Sentencing for 13 Robberies Delayed

The robberies took place over a two-month period last summer in La Mesa and other parts of San Diego County. Alex Sanchez, 24, faces up to 28 years in prison. La Mesa police arrested Sanchez' accomplice Luis Cruz last September.

Originally published 10:59 a.m. Aug. 28.

A defense attorney's unavailability forced a delay in sentencing Wednesday for one of two men prosecuted for the "Dare Me Bandit" series of convenience store and fast-food restaurant robberies.

Sentencing was rescheduled to Sept. 10 for 24-year-old Alex Sanchez, who faces up to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to 13 robbery charges and one count of attempted robbery.

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Sanchez' accomplice, 25-year-old Luis Cruz, pleaded guilty Tuesday to robbery, burglary and assault charges and will be sentenced Nov. 22. He was arrested by La Mesa police last September.

The "Dare Me Bandit" robbery series targeted a dozen businesses in San Diego and at least five others elsewhere in the county between July 22-Sept. 24, 2012, according to San Diego police. All robberies were carried out at gunpoint.

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The "Dare Me Bandit" moniker stemmed from the way the robber walked into businesses with a firearm already out, making his intention clear. In at least one case, he fired into a wall just to prove the weapon was real, police said.

City News Service contributed to this report.


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