2 Men, 1 Woman Netted In Connection With String Of Antelope Valley Armed Robberies

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — Deputies have apprehended two men and a woman they suspect waged several armed robberies in the Antelope Valley.

Palmdale residents Marcus Robinson, Mahealani Austin and Brooke Hollins were arrested Wednesday at two separate locations, where deputies found a gun and other evidence allegedly related to the crimes, Deputy Miguel Ruiz of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

The suspects were charged with 72 counts, including armed robbery, kidnap for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, for a string of robberies that began in 2011 and continued on through 2012.

The men would allegedly barge into businesses, armed and masked, and sometimes force employees into the back rooms to open the safes, Ruiz said.

Ruiz said the Lancaster station's Robbery Suppression Team served multiple search warrants and conducted several surveillance operations during its investigation of the crimes.

Anyone with any information about these robberies was asked to call detectives (661) 948-8466. Anonymous tips can be left at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). You can also submit your tip at http://lacrimestoppers.org.