Photo: Malik Patt (L) and Jason Payne (R)
Santa Ana police have arrested two Los Angeles men believed to be responsible for a string of robberies and murders at several 7-Eleven locations in Southern California this past month.
Malik Patt (20) and Jason Payne (44) and are believed to be connected to 13 robberies and the fatal shootings of a homeless man on July 9th in L.A.’s North Hills, a man at a 7-Eleven in Santa Ana on July 11th, and another individual at a 7-Eleven in Brea on July 11th.
Patt, who police believe is the main suspect and shooter in each of the incidents, is accused of three murders, two attempted murders, three robberies, and a carjacking. Patt’s alleged accomplice, Payne, is accused of robbery and attempted robbery.
“This violent and murderous crime spree spanned over 100 miles, across the counties of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino; and involved multiple murders, attempted shooting murders, violent armed robberies and carjackings,” said the Santa Ana Police Department. “Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Unit along with our Robbery Unit worked collaboratively with the other agencies and jurisdictions affected, along with the Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force, to arrest suspects involved in this Southland reign of violent terror.”
Patt and Payne were arrested the afternoon of Friday, July 15th, at a Los Angeles home in the 1900 block of West 23rd Street. They were transported back to Santa Ana and booked into jail there.
“It is through the hard, diligent, and professional investigative work by our Homicide Unit, along with the invaluable collaborative efforts with all our partner allied agencies, that made these arrests possible,” said Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin. “As our condolences go out to all the victims and survivors impacted by these violent crimes, our communities can rest a little easier today knowing that we have resolution to this regional crime series.”
