Suspects Were Armed With Bats and Handguns
SANTA CRUZ—Investigators with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced on January 22 that they arrested two individuals for their part in an armed robbery of a ‘7-Eleven’ convenience store in November in Santa Cruz County.
The six suspects robbed the 7-Eleven store on Soquel Drive
On Sunday, November 16, Santa Cruz County Authorities responded to an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven on 1875 Soquel Drive. According to the clerk, six male suspects entered the store wearing dark clothing with hoods covering their faces. One suspect chased the clerk to the back of the store using a baseball bat.
The clerk was able to lock himself in a storage room and call 911. The clerk also pointed out that one suspect was seen carrying a gun in his waistband. They raided cooler and took approximately 10 cases of beer.
The suspect that had the baseball bat smashed the pastry cabinet before leaving the scene. The suspects were captured on surveillance tape loading the beer into two vehicles, a black SUV and a black compact car.
Cristian Melgar in a Facebook selfie
On December 4, investigators arrested 19-year-old Salinas resident Cristian Melgar for the robbery. Melgar was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. His Bail was set at $50,000.00 dollars. Records show Melgar had been previously arrested for vandalism and being intoxicated in public on February 22 of last year. He was also charged with DUI in November of 2013, when he was just 18.
Investigators continued to work the case and it was not until Wednesday, January 21 that they arrested a second suspect at his home in Scotts Valley. They arrested 19-year-old Anthony Deponzi on charges of robbery and participating in a street gang.
Deponzi was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail and his bail has been set $100,000.00 dollars. Investigators have recovered physical evidence that included clothing worn by the suspects and well have the baseball bat that matched the one seen on the surveillance tape.
The case is still under investigation.
YouTube video of the suspects in the store
