Three male teenagers have been arrested in connection with a series of 10 street robberies in Santa Ana, authorities announced Friday.
Two of the suspects, both 15 years old, were taken into custody shortly after a robbery took place Wednesday, the Santa Ana Police Department said in a statement.
The pair had in their possession a black replica semi-automatic handgun, brass knuckles and two black ski masks, according to the news release. A follow-up investigation led to the identification and arrest of a third boy, police said.
After interviewing the three suspects, detectives were able to link them to 10 separate street robberies, “with similarities,” that had occurred in Santa Ana since Dec. 5, the department said.
Police searched the boys’ homes, where officials said they discovered several victims’ property, a BB gun case and a box of .45-caliber ammunition.
Investigators believe the suspects may have committed other street robberies that happened in the eastern area of Santa Ana and went unreported, according to the statement.
Anyone with information about the crimes was asked to contact Detective Cpl. Adrian Silva by phone at 714-245-8545 or via email at asilva@santa-ana.org.
