Arrest made after seven robberies

Deepa Bharath

Police on Wednesday arrested a 39-year-old Costa Mesa man on

suspicion of robbing seven city businesses with a fake gun.

Police said Chester Vincent Cecere hit three businesses on Tuesday

afternoon -- Washington Mutual Bank, Conroy Flowers and Fashion Today

-- within 30 minutes.

Officers spotted Cecere’s car parked outside a motel on Wednesday,

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Bob Ciszek said.

“They had gotten a vehicle description from a robbery at Norm’s

Restaurant that happened on July 2,” he said.

Ciszek said that similar suspect descriptions had been given in

each incident, linking Cecere to all seven robberies.

Officers stopped Cecere’s car for a vehicle code violation, he

said. Police arrested him after they found a replica handgun believed

to have been used in the heists, Ciszek said. He said they found cash

Cecere is suspected of taking from the businesses. Ciszek didn’t

disclose the amount.

Ciszek said Cecere “simulated” a weapon in most of the robberies.

“In most cases, he would show the victims the replica handgun

tucked in his waistband,” he said.

Cecere will also likely face federal charges in connection with

the bank robbery, Ciszek said. If convicted, he is likely to face a

maximum of 36 years in prison, not including federal charges, he

said.

The other three robberies took place at Sav-On on Baker Street on

July 1, Cynthia’s Hallmark on Harbor Boulevard on Sunday and Pure

Beauty on Harbor on Monday.

Cecere is being held in Orange County jail in lieu of $50,000

bail. He is expected to be arraigned Friday.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.