Santa Cruz Police arrest suspects in connection to three armed robberies that occurred on same day
Photos: Santa Cruz Police Department
Santa Cruz Police have identified and arrested two suspects in connection to at least three alleged armed robberies.
Manuel Alejandro Montoya
On Wednesday, March 17, police responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the Domino’s Pizza on Mission Street, though the suspect — later identified as 21-year-old Manuel Alejandro Montoya — had already fled by the time they arrived.
About twenty minutes later, a second armed robbery was reported at the Chevron Station on Ocean Street, with the suspect matching the description of the suspect in the Domino’s robbery.
Then came a third armed robbery report from Lloyd’s Liquors on Soquel Avenue.
Leilani Marie Allen
It wasn’t long before police had determined the same suspect was likely responsible for all three. A fourth armed robbery was also reported before the former three, but remains under investigation.
The next day, after identifying Montoya as the primary suspect, police issued a warrant for his arrest. He was spotted riding shotgun in a car later that afternoon, detained, and arrested.
Another individual, identified as 28-year-old Leilani Marie Allen, was discovered to have allegedly driven Montoya to the scene of each robbery.
Montoya was later booked on suspicion of multiple counts of robbery and conspiracy. Allen was also arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy, and accessory.
