ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Two Corona men were charged in connection with a deadly robbery in Tustin.
Amaree Devon Johnson, 20, was charged Tuesday with murder, with a special circumstance allegation of killing during a robbery, and a felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime. Johnson also faces sentencing enhancements for discharge of a gun causing death, according to court records obtained Wednesday.
Co-defendant Aaron Cantreal Arterberry, 19, was charged with a felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime with sentencing enhancements for being armed with a gun while committing a felony and committing a crime while out on bail in a separate case.
Arterberry is charged with grand theft and leading police on a chase with sentencing enhancements for acting in concert with two or more defendants taking property in a case out of Newport Beach Aug. 1, 2025.
Johnson and Arterberry are charged in connection with the killing of 22-year-old Cristhian Cruz of Tustin, according to Tustin police.
The victim was selling a luxury item online and met with the two defendants in the 13900 block of Tustin East Drive, police said. During the transaction Cruz was shot and two men fled, police alleged.
The two defendants are scheduled to be arraigned July 16 in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
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Orange County, CA Patch
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