Crime & Safety
La Jolla's 'Backdoor Bandits' Headed to Court
Duran Caldwell, Ryan Churchill and Thomas Abel Nelson are accused of committing more than 12 robberies, including Smashburger on Prospect Street in La Jolla.
A Jan. 16 preliminary hearing is set for Ryan Churchill, Thomas Nelson and Duran Caldwell. The alleged "Backdoor Bandits" are accused of carrying out more than a dozen armed robberies at restaurants and businesses in Clairemont and La Jolla.
The trio were arrested on August 4 after allegedly robbing Smashburger on the 1000 block of Prospect Street in La Jolla.
The suspects along with an unnamed minor are believed to have also robbed El Cotixan restaurant on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard near Diane Avenue and Rigoberto’s Taco Shop on La Jolla Boulevard near Westbourne Street, police told the U-T San Diego.
In an email to Patch on August 5, Smashburger owner Dave Whisenhunt said, "As always, the safety of our guests and employees is our top priority and we are thankful that no one was hurt.”
—City News Service contributed to this report.
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