Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Four Arrests Made in Monaco Robbery

A sheriff's spokesman told City News Service the four suspects could face murder charges.

Four suspects who authorities believe are tied to a are now in custody.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is withholding details of the arrests—made Wednesday—until a later date. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was scheduled to release the suspects' names and other information Thursday afternoon during a news conference, but the briefing has been postponed.

Would-be robbers Robert Earl Avery and Desmond Brown, both 39 and of Los Angeles, were shot dead June 27 when they attempted to rob . in San Juan Capistrano. Authorities have said that a store employee fired his gun after one of the .

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Five warrants were served Wednesday in various locations in connection with the robbery, sheriff's spokesman Jim Amromino said. He was not sure if the arrests were made as a result of the warrants.

At least one other man was seen on surveillance video entering the store with Avery and Brown. On the day of the botched robbery, investigators spent hours combing the surrounding area searching for him.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The third suspect made his getaway in a light blue Toyota Camry, which was reported stolen out of San Bernardino and was later recovered near the jewelry store.

All three suspects were wearing masks and gloves, investigators said told City News Service last week.

The four suspects arrested Wednesday could face murder charges under the legal theory that committing a crime that leads to a death makes a defendant accountable for murder, Amormino told City News Service.

—City News Service contributed to this report.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.