Armed Robbery Crew Charged After Attempting to Rob Temecula Pharmacy and Following a Six-Week Armed Robbery Spree

RIVERSIDE, California - Four individuals were charged in a criminal complaint today alleging their involvement in a six-week armed robbery spree across Southern California.

The following defendants are charged with attempted interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act):

• Aaron Carter, 39, of Fontana;
• Diamond Lucious, 25, of Victorville;
• Isaac Penaldoza, 35, of San Bernardino; and
• Kamaria Kendrick, 25, of Menifee

According to the complaint affidavit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force (OCVCTF) has been investigating a series of armed robberies of pharmacies across Southern California - in Woodland Hills, Temecula, Newport Beach, and Fullerton. During each of the robberies, three male suspects would enter the pharmacies wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks. Two of the suspects would be armed with guns, force employees to the ground, steal cash from the registers, and violently drag employees around the store. The third suspect would grab a trash can from inside the pharmacies and put stolen medications in the trash can.

The complaint affidavit alleges that on October 14, 2024, Kendrick scouted the Apollo Pharmacy in Temecula, California, by walking around the pharmacy building while on her phone and then driving around the building several times. Carter, Lucious, and Penaldoza then entered the pharmacy wearing hooded clothing, gloves, and masks while Kendrick waited in the car. Surveillance video at the Apollo Pharmacy shows that Carter, Lucious, and Penaldoza allegedly jumped over the counter and Lucious and Penaldoza brandished guns at employees, yelled at the employees, and then grabbed the employees and forced them to lie on the ground. Carter went directly to the safe in the back of the store and Penaldoza allegedly forced an employee at gunpoint to walk towards the safe. After an employee said that there was nothing in the safe, Carter, Lucious, and Penaldoza allegedly fled to the getaway car driven by Kendrick.

OCVCTF agents attempted to arrest the suspects when Kendrick allegedly tried to evade them and struck one of the unmarked law enforcement vehicles. While law enforcement immobilized the getaway car, a 9mm pistol fell out of the car. All four were arrested at the scene without further incident.

Carter, Lucious, and Penaldoza, are not legally permitted to possess firearms because they have all been previously convicted of multiple felonies and were on post-release community supervision or parole at the time of their arrest.

A complaint affidavit contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

The ATF OCVCTF is investigating this matter. The OCVCTF was formed to investigate violent crime, with a focus on serial robberies throughout Southern California. The ATF-led task force is comprised of personnel from the Brea Police Department, the Fullerton Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case.

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