A man responsible for a series of robberies earlier this year was...

A man responsible for a series of robberies earlier this year was sentenced this morning to 30 years and four months in state prison.

The sentence follows an October conviction in which a Kern County jury found Jorge Calderon guilty of three counts of second degree robbery, two counts of assault with a firearm, second degree burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition. The jury also found true that the Defendant intentionally discharged a firearm during the commission of the crime. The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Wooyoung Kim.

The conviction stems from several incidents: • January 27, 2025: Calderon walked into Tacos La Villa on South Union Avenue, approached a female cashier, and tossed a bag on the counter. He pointed a gun at the victim and as she began to place the money inside the bag, he fired a shot at the counter. Calderon ran out of the restaurant and escaped.

• January 29, 2025: Calderon entered Little Caesar’s on South Union Avenue, placed a bag on the counter, and yelled at a female cashier to put money inside the bag. The cashier observed that Calderon had his hand in his pocket the entire time and was shoving and moving his hand. The victim believed he had a weapon and was in fear for her life. After she finished placing the money inside the bag, Calderon grabbed the bag and fled.

• January 30, 2025: Calderon entered Chester Liquor on Chester Ave and laid a bag on the counter. He then retrieved a firearm from the bag and told a female cashier to give him all the money in the register. While in the commission of the crime, he pointed the firearm towards her direction while he demanded the money. Calderon took the bag and exited from the store.

DA Zimmer commented; “This pattern of robberies represented a clear and growing threat to the community. I am grateful that Calderon was apprehended before further harm occurred, and I feel relief for our community knowing he will serve a significant sentence that prioritizes public safety.”