LOS ANGELES — The two men arrested Friday in connection with a series of deadly robberies at Southern California 7-Eleven stores are now in jail, authorities said Saturday.
The Santa Ana Police Department released the booking photos of Malik Patt and Jason Payne, both of Los Angeles. Police said Patt, 20, is believed to have been the shooter and is considered the main suspect. Jason Payne, 44, is the other suspect.
A half-dozen 7-Elevens and a doughnut shop were robbed within five hours early Monday in San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties, setting off an intensive manhunt that resulted in the arrests of the two men in Los Angeles.
Matthew Hirsch, a 40-year-old clerk, was shot and killed at a Brea store, and Matthew Rule, 24, was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Santa Ana store. Two of the three wounded have been released from hospitals.
Authorities said the men are also suspected of a July 9 killing in Los Angeles but have provided few details in the case.
The men were booked into the Santa Ana city jail. It was not known if the suspects had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said prosecutors expect to file murder, attempted murder, and robbery charges as soon as Monday.
