Robber Arrested with Replica Handgun

On September 3, 2007 at 9:15 p.m., a male victim called the Whittier Police Department reporting he had been robbed at gun point. The victim had two cell phones taken from him as he sat in a car parked near the 7-Eleven located at 8438 Santa Fe Springs Rd. The suspect who was later identified as 50 year-old Paul Martinez of Victorville, pointed the gun at the victims head and demanded money. Discovering that the victim did not have any money, the suspect instead took two cell phones from victim. The victim provided officers with the description of Martinez's vehicle, a small maroon Ford Ranger pick up truck.

A short time later, a second robbery occurred in the parking lot of the Food 4 Less located at 7810 Norwalk Blvd. in the City of Santa Fe Springs. Martinez held up two different people by pointing a gun and demanding money. A witness was able to give the description of the suspect and his vehicle. Officers recognized that the suspect description matched that ofthe prior robbery that had occurred in Whittier. Officers detained and arrested Martinez for three different robberies. A replica handgun was found in Martinez’s pant pocket and the two cell phones belonging to the first victim were found inside Martinez’s car.

Martinez is currently in custody at the Whittier Police Department jail on a parole hold and is charged with three robberies.