ARMED ROBBERY OF CHECK CASHER
Monday night saw the arrest of three masked men charged with armed robbery at Easy Telecom, located at 682 Broadway.
A citizen flagged down a police officer around 5 p.m. to report a robbery and assault occurring at the establishment.
While the officer was relaying information about the incident, three males matching the citizen’s description were spotted running through the parking lot of Welsh Funeral Home.
Officers and K-9 units launched an extensive pursuit.
On Parker Street, one suspect was captured after dropping a red bag that contained a firearm.
The remaining two suspects scaled fences in the 700th block of Broadway. One was discovered on a third floor porch at 746 Broadway, attempting to hide while lying down.
Officers returned to the store to gather evidence from the scene.
A second citizen then directed police to a fenced yard with dense bushes, where a shirtless man was found concealed. He was arrested at that location.
According to the store clerk, one robber entered carrying the red bag, removed sunglasses and put on a mask, then brandished a handgun while demanding access to the money cage.
A second armed suspect followed him inside.
When a customer arrived to conduct business, the robbers attacked him, striking his head with the gun and forcing him to the money cage. The clerk complied and opened it as the suspects stuffed cash into the bag. During this time, the clerk was struck repeatedly in the face and head with the weapon and threatened with death if she contacted authorities. The robbers removed the store’s phone and placed it in the red bag.
The suspects escaped with approximately $5,000 in cash.
Julio Mota, Michael Nogueira and William Rios were arrested and charged with multiple offenses including armed robbery.