LAGUNA HILLS : Ohio Man Arrested in Series of Robberies

An Ohio resident suspected of a three-week South County robbery spree has been arrested in a Laguna Hills motel, authorities said Monday.

Matthew Ellsworth, 28, is suspected of robbing at least 10 small businesses ranging from gas stations to hair salons at gunpoint in the period from Dec. 21 to Saturday, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.

Ellsworth was arrested Sunday without a struggle.

Sheriff’s investigators had received a partial license plate number and description of a 1988 Pontiac matching Ellsworth’s from witnesses at the robbery scenes.

A patrolling deputy saw the car at the motel. When a physical description of the vehicle’s owner, Ellsworth, matched that of the robbery suspect, sheriff’s deputies moved in.

“Our deputies had the presence of mind to check locations where transients might frequent,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Tom Garner. “Other than the Mission at San Juan Capistrano and the Dana Point Harbor, there aren’t a lot of other places in South County where you find out-of-state plates.”

Deputies found a cap pistol in Ellsworth’s car, Garner said.

The total take from the robberies was $1,717.

“The only commonality I can think of is that he didn’t hit any place big that would bring the Feds in,” said Garner, “no banks, savings and loans or places like that.”

Ellsworth remains in Orange County Jail awaiting arraignment.