SERIAL ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS

Phoenix, AZ (May 29, 2009) - Beginning about the middle of May of this year the Phoenix Police Department Robbery Unit began to identify a series of violent armed robberies which were occurring in the Cactus Park and Desert Horizon police precincts, and in the city of Glendale. The method of operation for the suspects varied from aggravated robberies where the victims were beaten to armed robberies where handguns and a rifle were used.

All of these robberies had two things in common; the suspects were seen either arriving or leaving the scenes in a gold colored Chevrolet HHR (small SUV) and the vehicle was being driven by a much older female. The suspects committing the offenses had been described as being in their early to late teens.

A joint investigation between Phoenix and Glendale detectives, and in conjunction with officers from the Cactus Park Neighborhood Enforcement Team (92X), revealed that Cynthia Roberson was using her own vehicle in the crimes as the “getaway driver”. Cynthia, her two sons (John and Tony) and many of the son’s friends have been identified as suspects in the armed robberies.

Most of the suspects were arrested without incident on 05-29-09 at around 8:45 p.m.; others were arrested previously. Police served a search warrant at Cynthia’s home where several actual and simulated weapons (pellet guns) were discovered.

Phoenix Police believe, at this time, that all suspects related to this group have been identified.