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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: April 30, 2009
Santa Clarita Armed Robber Gets 65+ Years
Canyon Country resident Christopher Johnson was sentenced to 65 years 4 months in state prison yesterday in connection with several Santa Clarita armed robberies in 2006.
The string of robberies began in Santa Clarita on January 3, 2006, when a man walked into the H&J Liquor Mart at 18248 Soledad Canyon Road and robbed the store at gunpoint. While detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's began an immediate investigation, additional armed robberies occurred at several other locations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Canyon Market, Oak Tree Liquor, Circle K, Little Pleasures, King Liquor, Fox Liquor, Quick Stop Liquor, EZ Stop Liquor, and Country Liquor were all robbed at gunpoint by a person matching the same description between January 3rd and April 4th, 2006. During two of the incidents the armed robber reportedly fired his gun, but fortunately no one was injured.
Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Robbery and Assault Team joined patrol deputies, members of the City of Santa Clarita / Sheriff's Community Interaction Team (CIT), members of the station's COBRA Team and other agencies in an a full scale extensive investigation to stop the violent crime spree. Numerous other resources from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were brought into the area to aid in the investigation.
On April 07, 2006, just three days after the final armed robbery, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Robbery and Assault Team's investigation and persistence paid off. Detectives Miller and Godinez were conducting a surveillance operation at another Santa Clarita liquor store, as detectives had done so many nights before, when they spotted a man matching the description of that in previous armed robberies.
Further investigation ensued and ultimately Christopher Johnson, 06/01/1983, of Canyon Country was arrested. Mr. Johnson's trial culminated yesterday in the Los Angeles Superior Court with the presiding judge handing down a sentence of 65 years 4 months in state prison.
"If this case doesn't send a message that crime doesn't pay, then I don't know what does," said Captain Anthony La Berge. "The team of detectives worked incredibly hard and used ample resources to put this dangerous suspect behind bars and return peace and safety to our community. This is the definition of teamwork in every sense of the word," he added.
There is no further information available at this time. -ref 00136 / 00263 / 00701 / 00758 / 01451 / 01213 / 01487 / 01935 / 05411 / 05494 or MF05613
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
Canyon Country resident Christopher Johnson was sentenced to 65 years 4 months in state prison yesterday in connection with several Santa Clarita armed robberies in 2006.
