Trial Pushed Back in 'Chrome Revolver Bandit' Case

The trial for a man dubbed the "Chrome Revolver Bandit" due to the large silver-barreled revolver he allegedly used to commit robberies throughout the Bay Area, including in San Mateo, has been pushed back until December.

Ricky Renee Sanders, 36, was slated to go to trial Monday in San Mateo County Superior Court on 16 counts of robbery with a firearm, nine counts of being a felon with a firearm, six counts of assault with a firearm, five counts of attempted robbery and one count of mayhem.

His defense attorney, however, requested additional time before the trial in order to conduct DNA testing. The court granted the defenses's request on Friday despite objection from prosecutors.

Ricky Sanders is a third striker and parolee who was arrested in November 2012 for the Oct. 8, 2012, robbery and shooting at the PetSmart at at 3520 S. El Camino Real, according to authorities.

In the October shooting, Sanders allegedly demanded cash and then fired several shots at the clerk and fled from the store, police said.

The clerk, a 34-year-old San Mateo man, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, severing the femoral artery. He was treated at a nearby hospital.

There were about 15 customers in the store at the time of the robbery, and police interviewed witnesses at the scene. Part of South El Camino Real was closed for about an hour during the investigation.

San Mateo police collaborated with other local law enforcement agencies and learned the robbery matched characteristics of what authorities dubbed the "Chrome Revolver Bandit" series.

Five Bay Area counties speculated that more than 30 robberies in more than a dozen jurisdictions involved a similar method of operation and suspect description, San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris said.

Sanders is also charged with robberies or attempted robberies at a Beverages & More and Game Stop in Colma, according to prosecutors.

Sanders' trial is slated to begin Dec. 2 in San Mateo County Superior Court. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Sanders. He remains in custody without bail.