Crime & Safety
2 Arrested In San Diego Metro PCS Robbery
It is not yet clear if the arrests will put an end to the monthlong spree of heists at San Diego-area Metro PCS storefronts.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – Two men who allegedly robbed a cell phone shop in Pacific Beach Tuesday were arrested a short time later, leaving investigators to determine if the suspects also might be responsible for a series of nine other holdups at the same company's storefronts in various San Diego-area communities.
The latest armed robbery at a local Metro PCS outlet occurred in the 900 block of Grand Avenue about 2 p.m., according to San Diego police.
Within 15 minutes, officers had taken the suspects into custody on separate nearby streets, SDPD spokesman Billy Hernandez said. The men -- identified as Justin Caldwell, 30, and 29-year-old Geraldo Jesus Rivera -- surrendered without incident, he said.
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What appeared to be firearm being brandished by one of the perpetrators during the crime turned out to be an airsoft pellet gun, Capt. Brian Ahearn said.
It was not immediately clear if the arrests would put an end to the monthlong spree of heists at San Diego-area Metro PCS storefronts, though this afternoon's robbery had "a lot of similarities" with the previous ones, according to Ahearn.
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Since late last month, a pair of armed thieves has robbed the wireless- services company's shops in various parts of the county, alternately threatening clerks with pistols, a stun gun and a machete while stealing cash and mobile phones, according to investigators.
During several of the holdups, both bandits entered the targeted business, while just one confronted the victims during others.
The robberies occurred on Jamacha Road in Spring Valley on Jan. 25; on El Cajon Boulevard in Kensington on Jan. 27; on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights on Jan. 30; on Coronado Avenue in Egger Highlands on Feb. 1; on Poway Road in Poway on Feb. 6; on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Clairemont on Feb. 7; on El Cajon Boulevard in the College area on Feb. 8; on San Marcos Boulevard in San Marcos on Feb. 10; and on Mission Village Drive in Serra Mesa on Feb. 14.
Surveillance cameras captured images of the bandits, who wore dark- colored clothing and sunglasses during the crimes, and had bandanas or the cowls of hooded jackets covering their faces while committing several others.
By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock
