INDIANAPOLIS — A man has been arrested and faces nearly three dozen charges stemming from a string of armed robberies of at least 10 different businesses during a period of roughly four months.
Jovonni Sanders, 26, is charged with a total of 35 different counts connected with the robberies, which took place between Dec. 5, 2021, and March 8, 2022, according to court records.
Sanders' charges include the following:
- 15 counts of armed robbery as a level 3 felony
- Three counts of robbery as a level 5 felony
- 14 counts of pointing a firearm as a level 6 felony
- One count of battery by means of a deadly weapon, a level 6 felony
- One count of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, a level 6 felony
IMPD officers began investigating Sanders on Dec. 28, 2021 after receiving reports of a series of similar robberies. Several of them took place on the same day and involved a suspect described as a 6-foot-tall Black male
An investigation tied him to robberies at the following locations and dates:
- Dec. 5, 2021, at Shell Gas Station, 2960 S. Meridian St.
- Dec. 5, 2021, at Speedway, 5345 S. East St.
- Dec. 6, 2021, at 21st Amendment Liquor, 3939 S. Keystone Ave.
- Dec. 26, 2021, at Speedway, 401 Kentucky Ave.
- Dec. 26, 2021, at Shell Gas, 7020 McFarland Blvd.
- Jan. 2, 2022, at Village Pantry, 1415 W. 86th St.
- Jan.17, 2022, at Dollar General, 6908 Madison Ave.
- Jan. 20, 2022, at Super Tacos, 7853 N. Michigan Road
- March 5, 2022, at Circle K, 6402 W. 10th St.
- March 8, 2022, at Dollar Tree, 3489 W. 86th St.
A probable cause affidavit lists additional robberies IMPD was also investigated around and during this time period, but police have only connected Sanders to a total of 10 robberies.
The affidavit also states that Sanders told officers there may have been another person involved in some of the robberies.
Police executed a search warrant on Sanders' vehicle and home and took him into custody on April 1 on the city's far north side.
Sanders is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing Friday ahead of a pre-trial conference Jan. 31, 2023, and a jury trial Feb. 6, 2023 — all in Marion Superior Court.
-
Indianapolis Zoo elephant Jabari celebrates second birthday
The Indianapolis Zoo celebrated a special milestone Thursday as Jabari, the youngest member of the African Savanna elephant herd, turned 2 years old.
Ex-IPS student won't serve additional jail time for assaulting teacher
A former IPS student who assaulted a teacher last September will not spend any additional time behind bars.
State announces childcare voucher rate cuts to address $225 million funding gap
Indiana announced Thursday it will cut childcare voucher rates to address a $225 million funding shortfall.
Colts open season with new food options at Lucas Oil Stadium
The Indianapolis Colts open the regular season at home Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, and fans will be in for quite a culinary treat.
