Man suspected in 3 robberies admits to 4 more

EL MONTE -- A man arrested on suspicion of three armed robberies in South El Monte and El Monte admitted involvement in four additional robberies in El Monte, Baldwin Park and Azusa, authorities said Thursday.
Fernando Uranga Sanchez, a 40-year-old transient from the South El Monte area, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of robbing two markets in South El Monte and one market in El Monte last month, El Monte police Lt. Detective Ralph Batres said.
Following his arrest, Uranga admitted robbing two additional El Monte businesses as well as businesses in Baldwin Park and Azusa in crimes that date back to February, Batres said.
He is expected to be charged Friday with five counts of robbery stemming from the El Monte and South El Monte incidents, Batres said.
The Azusa and Baldwin Park incidents remain under investigation, he added.
Sanchez was being held in lieu of $300,000 bail Thursday, Batres said, however his bail will likely be increased to $500,000 after Friday's court appearance.
Police are still seeking a possible accomplice in some of the robberies, who is described as a Latino man in his 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 175 pounds and wearing a blue and white sweat shirt, Batres said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the El Monte Police Department.