LOS ANGELES, CA – A brazen string of armed robberies terrorized Orange County businesses last month, allegedly committed by George Arizon, 27, of Corona. Federal authorities arrested Arizon today, charging him with a federal complaint detailing eight robberies and two attempted robberies, primarily targeting restaurants across Santa Ana, Garden Grove, and Westminster.
According to court documents, the crime spree kicked off November 1st in Santa Ana, where Arizon allegedly hit three restaurants, making off with a total of $1,200 in cash. He reportedly brandished a black semi-automatic handgun with a distinctive gold-colored barrel, pointing it at terrified employees and demanding money. Attempts were also made to rob two additional Santa Ana eateries that same day.
The rampage continued a week later, November 8th, with robberies at two adjacent restaurants in Garden Grove. Just fifteen minutes after those heists, Arizon allegedly turned his attention to a single block in Westminster, robbing a Chinese restaurant, a Supercuts, and a 7-Eleven in quick succession – again, while wielding the same handgun. Witnesses described a consistent pattern of intimidation and threat.
Law enforcement responded swiftly to the Westminster robberies. Officers recovered a black sweatshirt, hat, and mask believed to have been worn by Arizon during the crimes, along with the alleged weapon itself – the black semi-automatic handgun with a gold barrel – discarded nearby. Surveillance footage reportedly confirmed the suspect wearing the recovered clothing, linking him directly to the scenes.
Arizon is now facing one count of interference with commerce by robbery, a violation of the Hobbs Act, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is expected to appear in United States District Court in Santa Ana on Thursday. If convicted on all charges, Arizon could face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the Hobbs Act violation and an additional seven years for the firearm charge.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force, with crucial assistance from the Santa Ana Police Department, the Garden Grove Police Department, and the Westminster Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky of the Violent and Organized Crime Section will prosecute the case. Authorities remind the public that a criminal complaint contains allegations only, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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