Two Arrested in Connection to Armed Robberies in Fresno County
FRESNO COUNTY – Two men who allegedly were involved in two armed robberies between Mendota and Firebaugh over the weekend were arrested following a police pursuit.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old Gary Dean Bunyard and 31-year-old Michael John Bryant Saturday afternoon.
The pair is suspected of robberies that happened earlier that day. The first one occurred around 1:30 in western Fresno County, where a victim alerted deputies that two men in a dark Kia SUV robbed him at gunpoint and took his cell phone and truck keys, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies received another report 10 minutes later from a second victim who said he had been robbed near a canal bank. The victim reported that he had been fishing when two men robbed him at gunpoint and stole his cash, cell phone and car. He said the suspects left the scene in a gray Kia SUV and his silver PT Cruiser, according to the sheriff’s department.
Michael John Bryant
Firebaugh police were able to arrest Bunyard after he crashed into another vehicle near 10th and N Street while driving a Kia SUV.
Meanwhile, Mendota police saw the stolen PT Cruiser on Highway 33 and tried to pull the driver over. The driver attempted to get away, but police pursued him until he eventually stopped and ran away on foot. The driver, identified as Bryant, was caught and taken into custody.
Bryant is facing charges of carjacking, armed robbery and possession of stolen property. Bunyard is facing charges of carjacking and armed robbery. They were both booked into the Fresno County Jail.
Read More:
ABC30: 2 arrested after robbery, pursuit
Fresno Bee: Firebaugh area robbery spree ends with two arrests
