A 24-year-old Santa Ana man pleaded guilty Friday to a federal robbery charge tied to a series of armed holdups at Subway restaurants and a doughnut shop in Orange County.
Freddie Alexander Lopez admitted to threatening cashiers with weapons during incidents that unfolded over roughly six days earlier this year.
According to court records, Lopez entered businesses late at night in a dark hoodie and mask, ordered a small item, and waited for the register to open before demanding money.
His spree began on Jan. 27, when he entered a Santa Ana Subway just before midnight, pulled a knife on the cashier, and fled with $300.
On Jan. 30, he threatened a Fountain Valley Subway cashier with a knife and demanded all the money, but the employee shut the register and he ran off.
Less than half an hour later, he robbed a Yum Yum Donuts location about five and a half miles away.
On Feb. 1, Lopez targeted a third Subway in Anaheim, this time appearing armed with a black pistol on surveillance video.
When the cashier refused to hand over money, he jumped the counter and tried to take the register key before leaving empty-handed.
Investigators linked him to the crimes through surveillance footage and cellphone location data placing him near the businesses at the times of the robberies.
Lopez was arrested Feb. 6 during a traffic stop by Santa Ana police, who found a knife, mask, glasses, and a replica handgun matching evidence from the incidents.
He was initially released before trial but was taken back into custody April 30 on the federal charge.
Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 2 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
