Banning Man Accused Of 2 Armed Robberies Arrested

BANNING, CA — A 37-year-old Banning man was arrested this week in connection with two armed robberies after police say he held up a fast-food restaurant and a pharmacy within days of each other.

Banning police officers responded at about 6:34 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, to a reported armed robbery at the Jack in the Box at 6350 W. Ramsey St., according to the Banning Police Department.

Police believe that a white adult male in his 30s with facial tattoos entered the restaurant, displayed a firearm and stole cash from a register before fleeing on foot.

After reviewing surveillance video and drawing on prior contacts, officers identified the suspect as Codi Jay Shelton, 37, a local transient, police said.

With assistance from the San Gorgonio Special Operations Gang Task Force, Shelton was found and taken into custody without incident. Officers recovered a replica handgun and cash during the arrest, police said.

While investigating the Jack in the Box robbery, officers also connected Shelton to a separate armed robbery reported early Dec. 14 at a Walgreens at 60 N. Highland Springs Ave. In that incident, which occurred around 5:56 a.m., police said a white adult male with facial tattoos brandished a firearm and stole cash from a register.

Shelton was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on two counts of robbery.