Two alleged armed robbers who police say threatened two women at gunpoint, forced their way into one of their homes, and stole her car were arrested by officers from the Mesa Police Department earlier this week. Francisco Olvera, 23, and another suspect who was not named because he is a juvenile were taken into custody Monday night.
One of the alleged robbers was reportedly armed with an assault rifle, according to local CBS affiliate KSWT, adding that it was this suspect who is said to have forced his way into the victim's home and stolen her purse.
The victims, who were not injured in the incident, were moving from one apartment to another when, police say, they were robbed by Olvera and his younger accomplice. The two suspects then drove one victim's car away, but were quickly spotted by Chandler Police Department officers, who followed them after they attempted to speed off.
The two suspects soon abandoned the victim's car at an intersection and tried to flee on foot, but they were swiftly apprehended by police, who charged them with two counts each of armed robbery, car theft, burglary, prohibited possessor, and unlawful flight from law enforcement. Local news channel ABC15 reported that two assault rifles were recovered from the vehicle in which the two fled.
While the armed robbery was undoubtedly a terrifying experience for the victims, experts say that most car thefts are committed while the victim is unaware of the presence of a thief. Taking some basic measures to deter a casual thief can lower the risk of car theft and possibly even cause auto insurance rates to drop.