A Mission Viejo man was behind bars Thursday on suspicion of robbing nine stores, including ice cream shops, game stores and gas stations, since late November, Orange County sheriff's officials said.
Matthew Scott Rendon, 36, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of armed robberies in several cities in Orange and San Bernardino counties since Nov. 29, sheriff's officials said. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney.
He was charged with nine counts of second-degree robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery, all of which are felonies. Arraignment was scheduled for Thursday.
The total loss from the robberies was about $3,500. Stores in Aliso Viejo, Chino, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel were hit from Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, sheriff's officials said.
The handgun-wielding suspect wore an American flag bandana and a thick flannel shirt in the stickups, officials said. When Rendon was arrested he had those items in his vehicle, officials said.
In addition to armed robbery, Rendon was also booked on suspicion of violating parole, officials said.
