(KRONA) – Seven suspects, including five juveniles, were arrested in the violent assault and robbery of a person who arranged to sell clothes to an unknown buyer on social media. The San Pablo Police Department said officers responded at approximately 5:18 p.m. on Sept. 9 to the 900 block of Trenton Boulevard on reports of an armed robbery.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers learned that the victim had arranged to meet the buyer via social media. When they arrived and met the buyer, four additional masked individuals arrived and began beating the victim.
Police said the suspects pulled out handguns and hit the victims several times. The suspects then stole the victim’s clothes to sell and took off on foot.
San Pablo PD detectives took over the investigation and used San Pablo’s network of public safety cameras. After several weeks of diligent follow-up on the results of the investigation, SPPD investigators identified seven suspects.
On Wednesday, San Pablo Police officers and several partner agencies served search warrants at seven locations across Contra Costa County. Seven suspects, two adults and five juveniles, were detained without incident.
Two firearms and several stolen items associated with the initial robbery were also recovered, police said.
The adult suspects have been identified as Damian Featherstone, 18, of Richmond, and Dennis Melendez, 20, also of Richmond. Both were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, accessory, and conspiracy.
Four juvenile suspects were booked into Contra Costa Juvenile Hall on the same charges. A fifth juvenile was released to the custody of his guardians due to an unspecified medical condition, police said.
San Pablo Police thanked the following agencies for their assistance with the arrests:
- Antioch Police Department
- Central District Swat
- Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office
- Contra Costa County Major Crimes Task Force
- Hercules Police Department
- Richmond Police Department
Despite the arrests, police say the investigation is continuing.