Twinkie Bandit Captured: Man Allegedly Used Handgun to Rob Mountain Market

The Twinkie Bandit, who allegedly toted a .38-caliber revolver when he robbed a mountain market of cream-filled sponge cakes, other food and cash, has been captured.

An armed robbery was reported at 8:55 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Mountain High Market in Twin Peaks, north of Redlands and Loma Linda, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

A suspect walked into the market with a black duffel bag, went to the back of the store and "began filling the bag with food items including Twinkies," Twin Peaks Station deputies said in a statement.

"The clerk told the suspect she had to scan the items and the suspect carried the bag to the counter and pulled out a gun," deputies said. "The suspect set the gun on the counter and demanded the money in the cash register. The clerk gave the suspect the money and he fled on foot."

On Wednesday Oct. 31, Twin Peaks detectives went to a residence in the 600 block of Clubhouse Drive. They spoke to a man named Charles Ortez, 62, of Twin Peaks and recovered a Taurus .38 special revolver, deputies said.

Ortez was arrested and booked at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on suspicion of robbery, according to inmate records. He was held Wednesday evening on $100,000 bail.

Anyone with more information was urged to contact Detective Scott Thies at the Twin Peaks Station at (909) 336-0600, reference Case No: 051201970.

Follow Redlands-Loma Linda Patch on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for the free daily newsletter here.