‘Long Jaw Bandit’ pleads guilty to robbing 35 businesses

A man who law enforcement officials dubbed the “Long Jaw Bandit” pleaded guilty Monday to robbing 35 San Diego-area businesses over a four-month period last year.

Roger Bruce Jones, 44, faces a maximum of 39 years in state prison when he is sentenced May 27 by Judge Eugenia Eyherabide.

Earlier Monday, Jones agreed to have his preliminary hearing rescheduled to April 13, but then changed his mind and pleaded guilty to all charges, court officials said.

He admitted robbing businesses such as Office Depot, Vons, 7-Eleven, CVS and F Street Bookstore from August to mid-December of last year.

Jones was arrested Dec. 27 as he tried to enter the United States from Tijuana. He was on probation for auto theft at the time, according to authorities.

The FBI described the “Long Jaw Bandit” as a 6-foot-2-inch man with a prominent chin, who generally shopped for a few minutes before taking merchandise to a sales counter.

In the holdups, the suspect told employees he had a concealed gun and demanded money, and then fled with cash and merchandise.

Prosecutor Allison Worden said no weapon was ever seen and no one was hurt in any of the robberies.