A man who robbed the same 7-Eleven store in Ceres twice in two weeks in August 1996 was found unsuitable for parole on June 6.

Eddie Lee Patterson, Jr., 57, was found unsuitable for parole during a June 6 hearing of the State Board of Parole Hearings held at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad. Deputy District Attorney Holly MacKinnon appeared to argue against his release.

Patterson pled guilty to robbery with priors on July 14, 1997. His prior serious and violent felony convictions under California’s “Three Strikes” law were used to increase his sentence to 25 years to life in state prison.

Patterson’s adult extensive criminal history includes convictions for robbery, burglary, vandalism, possession of controlled substances for sale, theft related offenses, parole violations and he has served five prior prison terms.

Patterson entered the 7-Eleven in Ceres, walked to the counter and demanded money from the cash register, telling the store clerk he had a gun. About a week later, Patterson entered the same store and again demanded money from the clerk and acted as if he had a handgun in his belt. At the time of his arrest he was a parolee-at-large.

Since his admission to prison, Patterson has committed nine rule violations including refusal to work, provide urine sample, and obtaining by theft.

A prison psychologist who examined Patterson prior to the parole hearing gave the opinion that Patterson still posed a moderate risk for violence if he were to be released from prison. The psychologist also is concerned Patterson has little insight as to the factors that contributed to his previous violence and antisocial behaviors. He also found that Patterson lacked specific plans to participate in substance abuse treatment programs if released.