On April 29, 2019, just before 8:00 p.m., Los Banos Police were dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Pacheco Boulevard for a report of a theft in progress.

The suspects in the theft entered the business and fled with a large amount of stolen merchandise.

One of the suspects pointed out what the victim believed to be a firearm at an employee to aid in the escape of his co-conspirators.

Officers later determined the suspect used the end of a torch to simulate a firearm barrel; and no firearms were located.

Five suspects, described as three males and two females, fled in a black Dodge SUV.

As the officers were taking this report a separate business in the 1400 block of Pacheco Boulevard called 9-1-1 to report similar theft.

The suspects in the theft matched the description of the suspects in the earlier robbery at the business in the 900 block of Pacheco Boulevard.

Officers began checking the area and found a vehicle and suspects matching the description of those involved in the two crimes.

Officers made a vehicle stop in the area of Walter Street and Keiko Street in Los Banos.

Five suspects were detained and later determined to be responsible for the thefts after a review of video surveillance. Caitlin Bello, 34; Kobe Charles, 19; Joseph Maxwell, 42; Sabrina Robert, 30; and James Robinson, 34, all of Merced were arrested on multiple charges including robbery, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

All five were booked into the Los Banos Police Department jail facility on felony charges.

The total value of stolen property amounted to over $1,700.00. The property taken in the thefts was inventoried and returned to the businesses.