Yuma police arrest 3 suspects in armed robbery
1 other person on the loose in separate crime
Yuma police have arrested three suspects in connection to the armed robbery of a convenience store Tuesday morning and continue to investigate another that happened a few hours earlier the same morning.
According to Sgt. Lori Franklin, 23-year-old Juan Avila, 24-year-old David Deranian and 23-year-old Joel Rascone are in custody and have been booked into the Yuma County jail. All three were arrested on charges of armed robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In addition to those charges, Avila was also arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drugs. Rascone has a misdemeanor failure to appear charge as well.
According to Yuma police, at approximately 6:02 a.m., officers responded to the Chevron, located at 2002 S. 4th Avenue, in reference to an armed robbery.
Officers were told that two male subjects, one brandishing a knife, entered the Chevron and demanded money from the clerk.
After receiving an undisclosed amount of money they then reportedly fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Officers located three male subjects about a block away, two of whom matched the description of the suspects being sought. Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered that all three subjects were involved.
Earlier that same morning, at approximately 2:50 a.m., officers also responded to a Circle K, located at 1798 S. 4th Avenue, in reference to an armed robbery.
A man brandishing a knife entered the store and demanded money. The clerk immediately started to call the police and the suspect fled the scene without taking money or merchandise.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 3 iches tall, weighing 210 pounds, wearing a blue hat and a black and white bandana covering his face.
The suspect was also wearing a gray long sleeve sweatshirt, blue jeans and white and black Converse shoes.
“Detectives do not have enough evidence to link any of the suspects to the earlier armed robbery, at this time,” Franklin said.
This suspect has not been caught yet and no injuries were reported in either incident.
The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.