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Riverside man arrested for series of armed robberies while wearing clown mask

Riverside man behind bars for series of armed robberies while wearing clown mask
Riverside man behind bars for series of armed robberies while wearing clown mask 00:28

A Riverside man has been arrested for a series of armed robberies at different stores while wearing a clown mask in late August and early September.

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Jesse James Swanson, the alleged suspect connected to a string of armed robberies committed in Riverside while wearing a clown mask.  Riverside Police Department

The first incident happened on Aug. 26, when the man robbed the Circle K store located in the 1600 block of Main Street in Riverside while armed with a handgun. Days later, on Sept. 2, the suspect robbed the same store just after 2:40 a.m., again at gunpoint, according to Riverside Police Department.

Police further noted that the man committed another armed robbery on Sept. 7, targeting te 7-eleven store, located in the 1100 block of W. La Cadena Drive. 

During the course of their investigations, detectives were able to identify the suspect as 23-year-old Riverside man Jesse James Swanson, and his getaway driver, 56-year-old Riverside man Daniel William Clark. 

Clark was arrested on Nov. 15 and booked for conspiracy, weapons violations and robbery. Investigators located a firearm during his arrest but did not provide further information. 

Nearly a month later, on Dec. 13, Swanson was located and arrested. He was booked for armed robbery, weapons violations and possession of stolen property. He is currently being held on $100,000 bail. 

As they continue their investigation, detectives ask anyone with further information to contact them at (951) 353-7103. 

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