Seaside man pleads no contest to two armed robberies

UPDATE: 8/22/2018 3:43 p.m. A Seaside man pleaded no contest to two counts of armed robbery.

According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, 63-year-old James William Morgan robbed a Dollar Store at 1816 Fremont Boulevard on March 4, 2017.

“He approached the female store employee, and exposed a semi-automatic firearm. He then “racked” the slide on the firearm and demanded money from the cash register,” said DA Dean Flippo.

Morgan threatened to “blast all of them” if the employees didn’t open the drawer, said Flippo.

Morgan took about $300 and ran from the business.

The next day, the district attorney’s office said Morgan robbed a Walgreens at 1055 Fremont Boulevard. The DA’s office said he pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and demanded cash. Morgan stuffed $1100 in his jacket pocket and left the store, according to the DA’s office.

Later that day, Morgan went to Marina Club Casino and was seen on video exchanging a stack of $20 bills for $100. None of the victims were able to identify him because the suspect concealed his face during the robberies.

“However, a commander from Seaside Police Department recognized Morgan from video still-shots taken from the surveillance system in Walgreens. The commander’s identification was based on the commander’s previous extensive dealings with Morgan and his family,” said Flippo.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2018. Morgan is facing 20 years in state prison and stands convicted of two violent strike offenses.

PREVIOUS STORY: 3/9/2017 5:30 p.m.:

Seaside police have arrested the man they believe is responsible for two armed robberies.

James William Morgan, 61, was arrested near his home on Thursday morning. Authorities believe he held up the Dollar Tree on Fremont Blvd. on March 4 and the Walgreens on Fremont Blvd. on March 5.

After the robbery spree, detectives released surveillance photos to the public. Detectives said they received a number of tips from community members which led them to Morgan. They said it was “a perfect example of community and police partnerships helping to solve crime.”

Morgan was taken to the Monterey County Jail and booked on two counts of armed robbery.

ORIGINAL POST:

The Seaside Police Department is investigating two armed robberies over the weekend at the Dollar Store on Saturday and Walgreens on Sunday.

Officers said a handgun was used to demand money at both stores.

On Saturday, investigators said the suspect walked into the Dollar Store at 1816 Fremont Blvd. at about 6:15 p.m. He was described as a black man, 40 to 50 years old, 5’9″, wearing black framed glasses with oval frames, dark pants and a dark hoodie. Investigators said he may have left the area in a silver sedan.

On Sunday, investigators said the suspect went into the Walgreens at 1055 Fremont Blvd. at about 1:40 p.m. In this incident, the suspect was described as a black man, 40 to 50 years old, 5’8″, 180 lbs., wearing a baby blue beanie with the word Illa stitched in white lettering, black framed sunglasses, a tan jacket, black pants, black and white shoes with white soles..Anyone with information is asked to call police:

Anonymous Tip-Line: 831-899-6282
Seaside Police Department: 831-899-6748
Non-Emergency Dispatch: 831-394-6811