Man Arrested in Bizarre 7-Eleven Robberies in Imperial Beach

A man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of committing bizarre back-to-back holdups at two 7-Eleven stores in Imperial Beach while under the influence of a controlled substance, authorities said.

The first robbery occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday when the man entered a store at 657 Palm Ave. and argued with several customers, according to San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Fred Magana.

He then started an argument outside the store with a man, whom he head- butted and from whom he stole cigarettes, Magana said, adding that the man also took the victim's wristwatch before fleeing in a vehicle.

About an hour later, the man allegedly turned up at the 7-Eleven at 1311 Palm Ave. and began arguing with a transient outside the store. He then took two large cases of bottled water from an exterior water display without paying and fled in a vehicle, Magana said, adding that the vehicle matched the same one used in the earlier robbery.

The man was eventually arrested by a San Diego police officer in the area of 3100 Coronado Ave. after a description of him and his vehicle were broadcast to local law enforcement.

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery against a person, battery, burglary and being under the influence of a controlled substance, Magana said.