Police arrest suspect in four robberies, find toy gun

A 27-year-old Monterey man suspected of using a toy replica gun in four recent holdups was arrested this week, police said.

Garrett Carter was taken into custody after authorities found him inside a car parked in a Monterey parking lot on Lighthouse Avenue, police said July 2.

Carter is suspected in three robberies and one attempted robbery that took place between June 29 and July 1 in the Monterey area. The first occurred about 10:15 a.m. on June 29 at a business in the 400 block of Canyon Del Rey Road in Del Rey Oaks. Carter allegedly entered the business and brandished a handgun at an employee of the business while demanding money. After receiving money, the suspect left on foot. Later that day, about 5 p.m., police say Carter held up another business, in the 200 block of Reservation Road in Marina, and left after receiving money.

The next day at about 3:45 p.m., Carter is suspected of robbing another business, in the 100 block of West Franklin Street in Monterey, in the same fashion.

In a final attempted holdup, Carter is suspected of entering a business about 9:20 p.m. in the 300 block of Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. Although the suspect told employees he had a handgun while and demanded money, they were unable to comply. After that, Carter left on foot, police said.

The suspect in all the incidents was described as a white man about 20 to 30 years old with the light facial hair, and police released images from surveillance cameras.

After getting tips from the community, the Peninsula Violence and Narcotics Team and its law enforcement partners were able to identify the suspect as Carter.

When they found him in the Monterey parking lot, he surrendered without incident. Inside his vehicle, detectives found a toy replica handgun and clothing worn during all four robberies.

Carter was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery. His bail was set at $160,000.