Man Admits To Robbing Eagle Rock Trader Joe's

LOS ANGELES, CA — A father and son, who turned their trips to Trader Joe's into a crime spree, could both be sentenced to decades in prison for their role in a series of robberies targeting the store.

A Hungtington Park father, who went on a four-month robbery spree targeting Trader Joe's stores, pleaded guilty to more than a dozen robberies Wednesday. His son already pleaded guilty to helping him with some of the robberies.

Gregory Johnson, 43, faces seven years to life for holding up Trader Joe's stores across Los Angeles and Orange County at gunpoint last year. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Johnson admitted federal counts of interference of commerce by robbery and using a firearm in a crime of violence.

By his own admission, he held up stores in Eagle Rock, Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth, Pasadena, Culver City, Rancho Palos Verdes, Agoura Hills, Brea, Santa Ana, Tustin and Chino Hills, and attempted to rob locations in Simi Valley and Corona between Aug. 28 and Dec. 4. Johnson even hit a couple of the stores twice, returning to the stores in Rancho Palso Verdes and Brea to rob the stores twice.

During many of the robberies, Johnson terrified employees with a handgun. Johnson and his son, Gregory E. Johnson, were arrested following the Chino Hills robbery on Dec. 4, after a witness gave authorities a description of their getaway vehicle and license plate.

The younger Johnson pleaded guilty to participating in the Chino Hills and Chatsworth robberies. He faces up to 40 years in prison when he's sentenced July 12 in downtown Los Angeles.

His father faces between seven years and life in federal prison, with sentencing set for Aug. 2.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.