FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with a series of robberies.
At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Chief Dyer says the department has connected the suspects with at least seven robberies in the City of Fresno, but says there may be more.
The first robbery happened on April 24th at 8:13 p.m. near N. 6th St. and E. Bulldog Lane.
Chief Dyer said a 19-year-old man was robbed by three men at gunpoint, taking his wallet and cellphone, and getting away in a newer Dodge Dart.
About 15 minutes later, a woman was robbed at gunpoint. She only had candy and cigarettes on her, which she gave to them.
While driving away, the suspect’s vehicle hit an apartment building, damaging the rear quarter panel.
The next robbery did not happen until Sunday, April 29th at about 2:20 a.m., when a man and woman were walking home near Wilson and Olive in the Tower District.
Chief Dyer said the man was hit with a gun because he wasn’t fast enough turning over the money.
Two back-to-back robberies early Monday morning helped officers to close in on the suspects.
Police say at 1:16 a.m., two suspects went into Fosters Donuts on North Cedar Ave. (above) – one carried a handgun, the third suspect sat in the car.
One suspect took $20 from a customer, while the other jumped the counter and took money from the register.
A woman who was sitting in a car in the parking lot called 911, describing the getaway vehicle.
The suspect’s vehicle was broadcast to patrol officers just a few minutes later, while at the same time, another robbery was being reported.
The victim was crossing the street at Shaw and First St.(above). He had no money but did turn over his cellphone and was hit in the head with the gun.
Officers in the area were able to stop the suspect’s vehicle and arrest the three men.
Chief Dyer said they admitted to these robberies as well as others involving Spanish speaking laborers.
19-year-old Northside Bulldog gang member Joshua Garcia from Fresno was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on multiple counts of armed robbery.
A 15-year-old and 16-year-old RTL Bulldog gang member were both booked into the juvenile justice system.
The Fresno Police Department believes there are more crimes connected, and Chief Dyer says there may also be a fourth suspect.
They are continuing to follow up on other leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fresno police.
Click to listen to the report by Liz Kern:
