In the early morning hours of November 11, law enforcement officers in Yucaipa were alerted to an attempted armed robbery at a 7-11 Convenience Store. The suspect, armed and dangerous, attempted to enter but was thwarted by a vigilant clerk who quickly secured the door, causing the would-be thief to flee to an accomplice's vehicle. Shortly thereafter, a crime of a similar nature was reported. This time, an ARCO gas station fell victim to the suspect's criminal desires, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities quickly joined the dots between the two incidents, surmising that they were the work of the same individual. In a stroke of investigatory diligence, officers patrolling neighboring locales received a tip-off from a citizen regarding the ARCO heist. Officials saliently noted that the suspected bandit made off in a dark-colored sedan, eluding the deputies in his wake. The sheriff's department identified the suspect as Kendrick Francisco, a 20-year-old male from San Bernardino, as reported by official communications.
Francisco was already in police custody for an unrelated offense when he was recognized as the wanted individual in the Yucaipa robberies. Following this revelation, the deputies also executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence, unearthing further evidence pertinent to the crimes in question.
The investigation into these robberies remains active and ongoing, with the Sheriff's Department appealing to the community for any additional information. Anyone with insights into the incidents is encouraged to contact Deputy Arden or Deputy Jones of the Yucaipa Station. For those wishing to preserve their anonymity, the We-Tip Hotline and website have been provided as alternative avenues to divulge crucial information.
