Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Tracking devices helped deputies locate and apprehend at least two of the four suspects accused of robbing a cellphone store and leading deputies on a pursuit.

The four suspects, described as Black males wearing hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants and ski masks, entered an AT&T store, simulated handguns tucked in their waistbands and ordered an employee to open a safe. Fearing for his life, the employee complied, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The AT&T store is located at 1243 Huntington Dr. The robbery was reported around 5:48 p.m. June 23.

The suspects stole 50 cell phones and other electronic items. They fled in a silver Chevy sedan.

“The cell phones were equipped with a tracking device, which assisted law enforcement in locating the suspect vehicle a short time later. After a short pursuit two of the suspects were apprehended,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

It is unclear if any other suspects were caught at a later date.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Three suspects armed with weapons robbed a victim of a cell phone, wallet, and watch, deputies said.

The robbery occurred around 9 p.m. near the El Canton de la Patrona, 1164 E. Huntington Dr., April 4. The victim was walking away when he was approached by three Latino men who pointed what were described as handguns at him, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“The suspects physically assaulted the victim and forcibly took his cell phone, watch, and wallet. The suspects fled the location and entered a newer black 4 door possible Honda eastbound on Huntington Drive and out of view,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

The loss was $5800.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Two suspects, one armed with a silver handgun, made off with $2000 in cash during a liquor store robbery March 9.

Two suspects entered Duarte Liquor, 1302 Duarte Rd., just before 8 p.m. March 9. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money from the register. Fearing for his life, the clerk surrendered the money, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Both suspects escaped on foot east on Duarte Road and out of view.

Both suspects are described as Latino men. One of the suspects wore a white and blue hooded jacket, light, colored pants, dark gloves, and a blue face mask. The second suspect wore a black hooded sweatshirt with a large logo on the front, dark-colored pants and red gloves.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Two suspects took off with cash after pointing a handgun at a 7-Eleven clerk in Duarte March 2.

The robbery occurred around 8:18 p.m. at the 7-Eleven, 1802 East Huntington Dr. One of the suspects pointed a dark semi-automatic handgun at the clerk and fled once they were given the cash, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Deputies said $550 was taken.

Both suspects are described as Latino males in their 20s. Both suspects wore dark hooded sweatshirts and blue facemasks. One suspect stands 5 feet 5 inches tall, the other 5 feet 8 inches tall.

Anyone who can help identify the suspects is urged to call Sgt. Lewis at the Sheriff’s Temple Station detective bureau at 626-292-3310, or by email at [email protected]. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Two suspects pressed handguns up against their victim’s face and took off with his wallet, cell phone, keys and Jeep Liberty outside a Walmart July 7.

The robbery and carjacking was reported at 5:12 a.m. outside the Walmart, 1600 Mountain Ave. Victim was waiting for the arrival of his carpool partner when one suspect approached and ordered him out of the vehicle while pointing a black semi-automatic handgun at him, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Fearing for his life, the victim exited the vehicle and then was met by second suspect, also armed with a firearm.

“Both suspects place the muzzles of their weapons on the victim’s face and ordered him to look down and away from them. The victim was ordered to hand over the vehicle’s keys, his wallet and his phone, to which he complied,” according to the Sheriff’s Temple Station in a written statement.

Both suspects, described as Black men, had the hoods of their hooded sweatshirts cinched tightly over their faces.

After surrendering his vehicle, the victim heard his Jeep Liberty speeding away. Moments later, he heard a collision and saw a secondary vehicle tied to the car jacking that collided with the rear of his Jeep. Both vehicles then sped away from the Walmart west on Central Avenue.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Two male suspects fled with an iPhone 13 after demanding it from their victim January 29.

The strong arm robbery occurred around 3 p.m. at Lena Valenzuela Park, 2120 S. Mountain Ave. The victim, fearing for his safety, surrendered the iPhone and fled. The loss was $1,050, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The only description of the suspects labeled them as Latino.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Three suspects robbed a 7-Eleven of cash and later abandoned a stolen Chevy Cavalier they escaped escaped in, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

The robbery unfolded at the 7-Eleven, 1802 Huntington Dr., October 14. Three suspects described as Hispanic men ages 20 to 25 in hooded sweatshirts and facial coverings entered the store. Two suspects approached the cashier and ordered him to empty the register.

“The third came from behind and ordered a store customer to empty his pockets. One of the males produced a tan-colored handgun and, fearing for his life, the cashier emptied the register of its contents,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

The three suspects fled in a waiting grey 2005 Chevy Cavalier. The vehicle was found abandoned the next day in the 1900 block Buena Vista Street October 15. The vehicle was reported stolen two days prior in Pasadena, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

DUARTE – A victim fled after a suspect attempted to rob him of his dog at gunpoint near a 7-Eleven in Duarte July 25, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

The attempted robbery occurred around 2:20 p.m. at 2705 Huntington Dr. A gold Nissan 350Z pulled up and the driver brandished a chrome semi-automatic handgun and demanded the victim’s dog, according to the Sheriff’s Temple Station.

“Victim fearing for his safety fled the area. Victim stated suspect followed him a short distance and lost sight of the vehicle as he pulled into the public safety parking lot,” according to the Sheriff’s Temple Station in a written statement.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his 30s. He wore a goatee and his head was bald.

DUARTE – A suspect took cell phones from two security guards in a nighttime robbery March 7.

The robbery occurred around 1:47 a.m. in the 1800 block of Duarte Road. The suspect approached the security guards and demanded their phones. The guards refused and were then punched by the suspect, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

After punching the guards, the suspect brandished a knife.

“Seeing the knife and in fear for their lives, both victims gave their phones to the suspect. During the investigation, one of the victims identified the suspect walking past the crime scene,” according to the Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The suspect was eventually identified, arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery.

​The suspect's name and city of residence were not readily available.

DUARTE – An estimated $5,000 was taken during a robbery after the victim met with two men in hopes of purchasing iPhones, deputies said.

The robbery occurred at 2 p.m. in the 700 block of Encanto Parkway January 23. The victim met with the suspects previously and purchased iPhones. He hoped to purchase two additional phones, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

“Upon meeting, one of the suspects pointed a black handgun at the victim and demanded his money. The victim attempted to run from the incident and was knocked to the ground by the suspects,” deputies said.

The victim’s cash and jacket were taken.

The suspects fled in a Honda Accord.