La Habra man jailed in connection with two recent armed robberies

LA HABRA >> Police jailed a man late Friday on suspicion of robbing a La Habra tobacco shop, as well as another armed heist at a La Habra market the day before, authorities said.
Richard James Bustillos, 55, of La Habra was booked on suspicion of robbery minutes after Friday’s 6:30 p.m. robbery at a smoke shop in the 900 block of North Harbor Boulevard, according to La Habra police and Orange County booking records.
After holding up the clerk at gunpoint and fleeing with cash, a responding La Habra police officer spotted Bustillos, who matched the description of the robber, in the area and detained him, La Habra police Sgt. Jeff Baylos said.
Police recovered a loaded handgun from the suspect, later identified as Bustillos, and arrested him in connection with the robbery.
Further investigation indicated Bustillos was likely the same gunman who carried out another robbery about 5:40 p.m. on Thursday at a market at the corner of La Habra Boulevard and Cypress Street, Baylos said.
In that case, “The robber produced a handgun to the store clerk and demanded money,” police said in a written statement. The gunman made off with about $200, police said.
“Evidence” related to Thursday’s robbery was recovered from Bustillos during his arrest Friday, Baylos said.
According to county booking records, Bustillos was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Wednesday in the Central Jail branch of Orange County Superior Court.

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