Temecula Man Suspected In Lake Elsinore Armed Robberies

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Two juvenile males and a 19-year-old Temecula man were arrested this week on suspicion of holdups at two Lake Elsinore convenience stores.

Raul Aparicio was taken into custody at 3:55 a.m. Wednesday at Dexter Avenue and 11th Street in Lake Elsinore and was booked into Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of second-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime. He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, jail records show.

The identities of the two juveniles were not released due to their age.

Around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, sheriff's deputies were called to the Circle K at 17671 Grand Ave. in Lakeland Village about a robbery.

A victim said he was robbed by two males, one of which, pointed a gun at him, according to a report from sheriff's Sgt. Robert Thomas.

Money and alcohol were taken from the Circle, and both suspects fled on foot, Thomas said.

Less than an hour later, another robbery was reported. This time it was at the Arco ampm located at 29355 Central Ave. in Lake Elsinore.

A victim said a male wearing a gray sweatshirt and khaki pants entered the store and pointed a gun at him. The suspect fled on foot and then got into a gray Porsche Boxer, Thomas reported.

Deputies searched the area and spotted the Porsche from the Arco robbery at a nearby business complex. Aparicio and one of the juveniles, along with a gun, were found inside the car. Witnesses identified Aparicio from the Circle K robbery, Thomas said.

The other juvenile was tracked down at a residence. Both juveniles were arrested on suspicion of robbery, according to Thomas.