According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Cody Madison, the first crime occurred Saturday, January 31, when the suspect entered Valero Gas Station, 145 S. 10th St. about 6:46 a.m.

When officers arrived on scene, “The store clerk stated a male subject,” later identified as Brandon Waldron, 35, entered the store attempting to purchase a drink.  

“Waldron provided a hotel key card to pay for it,” but the card said Madison, “was obviously denied.”

At that time Waldron took a bladed stance, leaning to one side and putting his hand in his right front pocket; he then told the cashier to empty the money from the register.  

The cashier, fearing that Waldron had a gun and in fear for his life, gave Waldron an undisclosed amount of money and the suspect fled the scene.  At the time of the call, noted Madison, the cashier did not have access to the video in the store.

Sunday, February 1 about 12:57 p.m. officers responded to the 300 block of South Steckel Drive for a report of elder abuse.  

Madison said that upon arrival officers spoke to an 80-year-old man who stated he had been the victim of abuse at the hands of his roommate, Waldron.

The elderly man told police Waldron had been acting strangely before he told the victim that he needed to search him and began feeling the inside of his legs, an action Waldron repeated approximately five times.  

“Waldron then attempted to unbuckle the victim’s pants and pull them down,” said Madison and once this was concluded, “Waldron pulled on the victim’s collar so hard he almost lost his balance.”

Commander Ish Cordero said SPPD Dispatcher Jaleza Bobadilla, although “Fielding numerous calls, was able to determine from the report from the elder abuse victim that it likely involved the suspect in the gas station robbery,” based on the description of the suspect and his behavior.

While the victim was speaking with officers at his apartment Waldron walked up to the residence and was taken into custody.

Cordero said Waldron was not related to the male victim where he had been staying for an undetermined length of time.

Police do know Waldron, whom Cordero said “Is always in and out of trouble. We’ve had previous contacts with him, but we didn’t know he was back in town.”

During the booking process officers found Waldron had items in his pocket that were taken in the gas station robbery; officers were able to obtain still photos of the video which confirmed Waldron was the suspect in the robbery.

Waldron was transported to Ventura County Main Jail for suspicion of elder abuse and robbery with a bail of $100,000.

Cordero said that in addition to the other charges after testing Waldron was also charged with suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.