Codi Jay Shelton to stand trial for Banning restaurant robbery

A Riverside County Superior Court judge has ruled that Codi Jay Shelton, a 38-year-old transient, must stand trial for second-degree robbery and other offenses. The ruling follows a preliminary hearing where Judge Sylvia Luttrell found sufficient evidence to proceed with the robbery count and sentence-enhancing allegations, including the use of a weapon during a felony and being a prior-strike felon.

The incident occurred on December 16 at a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant in Banning. According to police, Shelton allegedly used a replica handgun to intimidate staff and steal cash from a register before fleeing on foot. No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Following a review of surveillance video, officers located Shelton less than three hours after the incident. Police reported seizing a replica pistol and the stolen cash at the time of his arrest. Shelton is currently being held at the Smith Correctional Facility with bail set at $1 million. A post-preliminary hearing arraignment is scheduled for October 8 at the Banning Justice Center.