An Indio man suspected of involvement in robberies and burglaries around the Coachella Valley was behind bars today.
Samuel Lawson, 40, was arrested about 1 a.m. Thursday on suspicion of committing a burglary in the 74000 block of Country Club Drive in Palm Desert.
Lawson had "key pieces of evidence" that tied him to armed robberies and commercial burglaries throughout the valley, sheriff's Sgt. Tom Brewster said.
Information obtained through search warrants for Lawson's vehicles and residence implicated Lawson in armed robberies at fast food restaurants and gas station convenience stores and burglaries at businesses from August 2011 until Thursday, Brewster said.
Lawson was booked into the county jail in Indio for multiple counts of armed robbery and commercial burglary. He was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and was expected to be arraigned on Monday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to jail records.
Law enforcement agencies in Palm Desert, Thermal, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Indio and El Centro were involved in the investigation, Brewster said.
Anyone with information about the crimes was asked to call (760) 836- 1600 or (760) 341-7867. Tips can be anonymous and may lead to a cash reward.
