While Garden Grove police are investigating whether a Riverside pursuit suspect is tied to nearly two dozen fast-food restaurant robberies in Orange County, Riverside police believe the man has already struck two eateries in that city.

Due to the complex nature of the investigation, Garden Grove police wouldn’t elaborate until their probe was complete.

“We want to ensure that our investigation is not tainted in any way that may hinder prosecution of a possible suspect,” read a statement released by Garden Grove police on Friday morning.

A Santa Ana Crime Scene Investigator takes photographs after a male armed with a handgun robbed a Pizza Hut in the 2000 block of West 1st Street around 8:20 p.m. in Santa Ana on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Warn, Contributing Photographer)

A male armed with a handgun robbed a Pizza Hut in the 2000 block of West 1st Street around 8:20 p.m. in Santa Ana on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Warn, Contributing Photographer)

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A Santa Ana Crime Scene Investigator marks evidence after a male armed with a handgun robbed a Pizza Hut in the 2000 block of West 1st Street around 8:20 p.m. in Santa Ana on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Warn, Contributing Photographer)

A male armed with a handgun robbed a Pizza Hut in the 2000 block of West 1st Street around 8:20 p.m. in Santa Ana on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Warn, Contributing Photographer)

A Santa Ana Crime Scene Investigator collects evidence after a male armed with a handgun robbed a Pizza Hut in the 2000 block of West 1st Street around 8:20 p.m. in Santa Ana on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Warn, Contributing Photographer)



Riverside police, in the meantime, believe the suspect – dubbed the Fast Food Bandit — has robbed two restaurants in the city: the robbery Thursday at Carl’s Jr. that sparked the chase and a robbery July 20 at a nearby Pizza Hut.

“Both have similar circumstances in that he passed a note, brandished a firearm, was handed money and he left,” said Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback.

The suspect in many of the Orange County robberies also had similar details.

The Riverside pursuit on Thursday afternoon was triggered by a report of a robbery at a Carl’s Jr. in the area of Magnolia Avenue and Ross Street.

On Tuesday, July 25, a McDonald’s restaurant in the 3000 block of Bristol Street was robbed by a man at 4:22 p.m., according to Costa Mesa Police. Further details on how much the money the robber took and a description were not yet available. (Photo by Southern Counties News Service)

On Tuesday, July 25, a McDonald’s restaurant in the 3000 block of Bristol Street was robbed by a man at 4:22 p.m., according to Costa Mesa Police. Further details on how much the money the robber took and a description were not yet available. (Photo by Southern Counties News Service)

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On Tuesday, July 25, a McDonald’s restaurant in the 3000 block of Bristol Street was robbed by a man at 4:22 p.m., according to Costa Mesa Police. Further details on how much the money the robber took and a description were not yet available. (Photo by Southern Counties News Service)





The robbery suspect drove off with a second man, but witnesses were able to give 911 dispatchers a description of the getaway car, police said. A few minutes later, an officer spotted the speeding vehicle near Indiana Avenue and Jefferson Street.

Police pulled the vehicle over, but the driver accelerated away with the officer in pursuit, Riverside police said.

The chase eventually reached the Mission Grove area of the city, where the driver lost control on a dead end street, sending the vehicle into a gully, where the vehicle caught fire, police said.

The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. He suffered minor injuries and was transported to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment.

He was arrested but police will not release his name until Garden Grove police can wrap up their probe into the possible connection.

“We don’t want to taint their investigation by putting the suspect’s mug shot out there,” Railsback said. “Garden Grove has the most robberies and they have a lot more witnesses to interview.”

The second man involved in the pursuit got away and is still being sought, police said.

The Fast Food Bandit suspect has hit at least 20 eateries in Orange County in July alone, according to law enforcement officials.

The day before the Riverside heists, the thief wanted by Orange County law enforcement hit two fast food restaurants within 20 minutes in two different cities, officials said.

Santa Ana police have released images of a suspect in a robbery of a Jack in the Box at Harbor Boulevard and Hazard Avenue. In that robbery, which took place 8:30 p.m. Monday, a man walked into the restaurant, brandished a gun and handed a note to the cashier demanding money. The man was handed cash and left.

Authorities ask that anyone who has information on the thefts call Fountain Valley police at 714-593-4485, or Detective Brent Emerson at 714-593-4466; or Santa Ana police Detective Duane Greaver at 714-245-8362 or at Dgreaver@santa-ana.org. Anonymous tipsters can go to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Authorities are searching for a suspect, seen here in different incidents, believed to have robbed several restaurants in Orange County at gunpoint. (Photo Courtesy of the Fountain Valley Police Department.)

Authorities are searching for a suspect, seen here possibly wearing a wig, believed to have robbed several restaurants in Orange County at gunpoint. (Photo Courtesy of the Santa Ana Police Department.)

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Authorities are searching for a suspect, seen here, believed to have robbed several restaurants in Orange County at gunpoint. (Photo Courtesy of the Santa Ana Police Department.)

The suspect is seen inside a CN Wireless, mobile phone store, during a July 11 robbery. (Photo Courtesy of the Garden Grove Police Department)

The suspect is seen inside a Wendy’s restaurant during a July 13 robbery. (Photo Courtesy of the Garden Grove Police Department)



The suspect is seen inside a Pizza Hut restaurant during a July 14 robbery. (Photo Courtesy of the Garden Grove Police Department)

A partial list of recently robbed businesses: