A 49-year-old convicted felon accused of perpetrating multiple armed robberies in Moreno Valley this summer was charged Thursday with five counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery.
David Anthony Battle of Moreno Valley was arrested Monday following a Riverside County sheriff’s investigation into the robbery series that began in mid-July.
Battle, who is being held on $150,000 bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside, is slated to make his initial court appearance at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday.
Battle allegedly targeted stores throughout the city and generally used the same methods in each holdup, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Marcuse.
“The suspect would enter the business dressed in dark clothing, select an item for purchase, and when the clerk would open the cash register, the suspect would brandish a firearm and demand money,” Marcuse said. “After committing the robbery, the suspect would flee the area on foot in an unknown direction.”
Relying on eyewitness statements and images captured by the Moreno Valley Citywide Camera System, detectives were ultimately able to identify Battle as the alleged perpetrator, according to the sergeant.
A surveillance was established, and Marcuse said that investigators were watching Monday night as Battle prepared to enter a Walgreens in the 16000 block of Perris Boulevard.
“Battle was dressed in the exact clothing worn in all previous robberies and was seen holding an item inside his waistband,” he said. “To prevent any further victimization of the public, detectives contacted Battle just prior to him entering the store.”
Marcuse alleged that Battle “immediately fled on foot,” culminating in a chase during which he “was seen throwing a black firearm from his waistband.”
Deputies eventually cornered the convicted felon, who surrendered without further incident. The gun was recovered as evidence, according to Marcuse.
No one was injured.
Court records show Battle has at least two prior convictions for auto theft.
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