Safeway on Tara Hills Drive
PINOLE – Officers were conducting an unrelated traffic stop nearby at the Appian 80 Shopping Center when a white sedan—matching the description of a getaway car used in a nearby armed robbery —drove by the police in the parking lot.
It was about 4:30 p.m. when a woman called police to report being robbed of her shopping bags and other personal items, about one mile away on the 600 block of Pinon Avenue.
Police radios were crackling with a report of the robbery when the car carrying four suspects passed the officers, and parked outside the Safeway parking lot at 1421 Tara Hills Drive, where officers intercepted and arrested the four teenagers on August 16.
The victim who later positively identified all four suspects told police that a teenage girl pointed a handgun at her, while a teenage boy stole her belongings; before they both jumped into the backseat of a waiting car, which sped away with two other individuals sitting in the front seat.
Officers arrested Sean Simon, 18, of Richmond, who is charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, and violation of probation. Simon remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility, with bail denied.
His three 17-year-old companions were also arrested, and booked at the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall in Martinez.
Two of the suspects were arrested as they emerged from Safeway, where a teenage girl had gone inside to change her clothing in attempt disguise her appearance, but police caught her anyway, and said she was carrying a loaded gun.
One of the minors is charged with robbery and conspiracy. The other two minors are charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, committing a felony with a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
The victim was not injured, and her belongings were returned.
