Five people in suspected Sacramento-area violent robbery crew arrested, police say
Rocklin police officials say detectives have arrested a young man and four minors who are accused of being a part of a strong-arm robbery crew that carried out violent thefts in Placer and Sacramento counties over the past few weeks.
The first robbery reportedly occurred about 8:40 p.m. on April 10, according to a news release from the Rocklin Police Department. In the 2200 block of Sunset Boulevard in Rocklin, a group of male suspects assaulted in a female in a parking lot and stole her purse.
The suspects left the crime scene before officers arrived. The robbery investigation was handed over to Rocklin police detectives.
During their investigation, the detectives determined the group of suspects in Rocklin were linked to robberies in Lincoln and Elk Grove, according to police.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the group attacked an elderly man in Roseville and tried to steal his wallet in a parking lot in the 400 block of Roseville Square, police officials said.
Officers responded to the reported attack and found a suspect vehicle with five people inside, later identified as Leandre James Ward, 20, of Rancho Cordova, and four minors, according to the news release.
The suspects were arrested on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Ward was booked at South Placer County Jail, and the minors were booked at the county’s Juvenile Hall. Ward remained in custody Tuesday afternoon and his bail was set at $50,000.
The Elk Grove, Roseville and Lincoln police departments assisted in the investigation.
