By Patti Schofler
Crime Voice Contributor
SAN RAFAEL — San Rafael police arrested two suspects on a variety of sex crimes against minors and have now linked them to the armed robbery of a San Rafael gas station.
Lecha Darod Owens, 29, was arrested Sept. 29 for crimes stemming from his yearlong relationship with a 15-year-old Novato girl, after the victim and her mother reported the crimes to the San Rafael police. The unemployed San Rafael resident was booked on several felony charges of sexual assault and violation of probation.
The girl met Owens through mutual friends when she was 14 years old. According to the police report, Owens, aware of the girl’s age, provided her with alcohol and drugs during the relationship.
Arrested at the Northgate Shopping Mall, Owens was later charged with the Sept. 28 robbery of the Del Presidio Chevron gas station along with his associate, Dustin Hans Melchior, 20.
Melchior was also arrested for sex crimes with three female victims ranging in age from 13 to 16. He was allegedly the driver of the getaway car at the robbery.
Arrested at his home in San Rafael, Melchior was book at the Marin County Jail for armed robbery, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Melchior and Owens will be arraigned Thursday.
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