Poway cellphone store robbery suspect arrested

CNS - A Riverside County man was behind bars Monday, accused of committing armed robberies across the San Diego area, including Poway and Oceanside cellphone shops, authorities reported.

Damian McDowell Green, 21, surrendered to detectives and deputy federal marshals at his Aguanga home on Friday, according to police.

Green is suspected of threatening clerks with a handgun while stealing cash and mobile phones at Verizon Wireless stores in the 3700 block of Plaza Drive and the 4200 block of Oceanside Boulevard on Jan. 14 and Jan. 24, respectively.

During the first holdup, Green allegedly pistol-whipped an employee before fleeing, Oceanside police Lt. Leonard Cosby said. No serious injuries were reported.

Following his arrest, the suspect confessed to committing those holdups and others in Poway, Encinitas, and Mira Mesa, according to police.

During the Jan. 7 robbery at the Poway Sprint store, the suspect walked into the business armed with a silver revolver and ordered employees to place iPhones into a bag he was carrying. He then forced the employees into a restroom and ordered them to stay there until he was gone.

Green was booked into Vista Detention Center on suspicion of five counts of robbery, as well as receiving stolen property and possessing brass knuckles.

He was being held on $545,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.