By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–A 50-year-old Carlsbad man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday, admitting that he committed six robberies of grocery stores and other businesses during a 15-day period in 2021, including several heists where he displayed a handgun.
In his plea agreement, Benjamin Robert Laubbacher admitted to robbing a CVS pharmacy, a Bath and Body Works, and numerous grocery stores between January 22 and February 5, 2021. All the robberies were committed in a similar manner: He entered the store, selected items for purchase, approached the register, and demanded money from the cashier. In certain robberies, Laubbacher displayed a black handgun in his waistband. Over the course of his six successful and attempted robberies, Laubbacher obtained approximately $2,327.32.
“This defendant inflicted maximum terror on cashiers, who will suffer a lifetime of anguish over the memory of this experience,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Now he will be held accountable.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.
“This defendant had little qualms of brandishing a gun to intimidate and cause fear in his victims during six different robberies to get what he wanted,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office.
Laubbacher is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14 before U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant.
