String Of Armed Robberies In Lake Elsinore, Temescal Valley

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A man who the sheriff's department said went on a string of robberies Friday in Lake Elsinore and Temescal Valley using a replica rifle as his weapon remained jailed Monday.

Santiago Lopez Hernandez, 38, of Corona is being held at Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of second-degree robbery, brandishing a firearm, possessing metal knuckles, driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended license, according to jail records. He is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail and a court date has been set for Tuesday.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Hernandez stopped at various locations in his late-model pickup truck and demanded people hand over their valuables. His first stop was at around 1:03 p.m. Friday in the 3900 block of Ash Street.

At 1:08 p.m., an additional robbery call was reported from the area of Temescal Canyon Road and Indian Truck Trail. Seven minutes later a brandishing of a rifle at Temescal Canyon and Campbell Ranch Road was reported, and at 1:58 p.m. a brandishing of a rifle at Temescal Canyon Road and Hostettler Road was called in, according to the sheriff's department.

The suspect and vehicle description matched in all four robberies, the sheriff's department reported.

Hernandez was eventually pulled over in the area of Temescal Canyon Road and Dos Lagos.

"A replica rifle was located, and personal belongings of the victims were recovered," the sheriff's department reported.

He was arrested on the spot at 2:45 p.m. Friday, according to jail records.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information is asked to call Deputy McVay at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station: 951-245-3300.