Two of the three suspects sought in a string of takeover-style store robberies in Orange County were arrested on Wednesday thanks in part to a cellphone tracking app. Vikki Vargas reports from Anaheim for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.
Police have arrested two men and are looking for one more suspect involved in a string of takeover robberies in Orange County.
Police announced the arrest of 18-year-old Eric Gonzalez and 20-year-old Raul Ochoa during a news conference Wednesday.
"These suspects were armed, heavily armed and had a propensity to use the handgun in one instance. So it’s a shock nobody was hurt," Anaheim Police Capt. Ben Hittesdorf said.
Investigators say the crime spree began in late January. The armed robbers targeted shoe stores and smoke shops, and robbed a dozen places – always on a Friday or a Monday and always between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The robbers targeted businesses in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Ontario.
Just over a week ago, the suspects entered Metro PCS store just before closing time.
"'Give me the money, give me the money," store clerk Maria said of the incident. "And I’m scared."
According to police, the men stole a cell phone belonging to a clerk inside Metro PCS. Her husband used the "find my phone app" and tracked the phone to Ontario, which helped lead police to the suspects.
Ontario Police knew of Gonzalez and Ochoa from a street gang called the Black Angels. Police tracked the men down and recovered guns and some of the clothing seen in surveillance video.
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Police are still looking for one more suspect. He is described as being 5-feet-8-inches with a heavy build. He was seen wearing a Dodgers jacket.
In addition to money, the suspects also stole half a dozen pairs of Jordan brand sneakers. One of the suspects was wearing a pair at the time of his arrest.
