SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Four young people were arrested earlier this week after five teens allegedly surrounded two other teens and robbed them at knifepoint in Santa Rosa, police said.
Santa Rosa officers responded around 3:26 p.m. Wednesday to the 6900 block of Montecito Boulevard after receiving a report of a robbery involving a knife. The two victims, both teenage boys, told officers they were walking toward the library when they were approached by five male teenagers.
The group surrounded them and demanded their belongings, the Santa Rosa Police Department said in a statement Thursday.
When the victims refused, one of the suspects allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened to stab one of them unless he handed over his backpack. Fearing for his safety, the victim complied.
The group then allegedly targeted the second victim, unzipping his backpack and taking personal property before walking away. Neither victim was injured.
While officers spoke with the victims, other officers searched the area. Within minutes, they found four juveniles matching the suspects' descriptions on Montecito Avenue near St. Mary Drive, police said.
Stolen property from the victims was found with the teens, and investigators alleged all four were involved in the robbery. The fifth suspect has not been found, and the knife used in the robbery was not recovered.
The four suspects -- a 13-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys, all from Santa Rosa -- were arrested on suspicion of felony robbery and booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Justice Center. One of the 16-year-olds was also arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats.
Since the victims and suspects are juveniles, police said they are not releasing their names or other personal information.
Police are investigating whether the robbery was gang-related. Anyone with information, including security camera footage from the area, is asked to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department through its online tip line or the Gang Crimes Team at 707-543-3670.
By Bay City News
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