Four teenagers suspected of committing seven armed robberies, a sexual assault and other violent crimes were arrested earlier this week, authorities said.
Thanks to an anonymous tip, Tucson police officers from the Gang Tactical Unit arrested Charles E. Flowers, 19, his brother Tyrel Flowers, 17, Dion Bruner, 18, and Christopher L. Bacon, 17, on Wednesday.
They are accused of embarking on a monthlong crime spree that included several take-down robberies at convenience stores, a burglary of a pawn shop and a home invasion, said Lt. Rick Middleton, a Tucson police spokesman.
Police said the men committed three of the robberies, a carjacking and a sexual assault all in the span of about two hours Sept. 15.
Authorities began surveillance of the four men Monday. They observed them putting on several layers of clothing Wednesday evening before entering a Walgreens at South Campbell Avenue and East Irvington Road, Middleton said.
People are also reading…
Officers believed it was a robbery attempt, but the suspects eventually left because there were too many people inside, he said.
Once the men left the store, officers approached and arrested them after a chase through a nearby apartment complex, he said.
The crime spree began Aug. 20, when officers went to an alarm call at the Cash Box Jewelry and Pawn Company, 2014 S. Craycroft Road. Officers discovered a window was smashed and 16 handguns were stolen, Middleton said.
Eight of the 16 guns have since been recovered, said Sgt. Fabian Pacheco, a Tucson police spokesman.
The string of crimes continued Aug. 21 after officers responded to a report of a home invasion and found that a vehicle had been stolen, Middleton said.
During the following the week, four convenience stores were robbed, including three robberies within 45 minutes on Aug. 30. The suspects ordered the clerks to lie on the floor during those robberies, he said.
The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of money out of one ATM at a store and unsuccessfully tried to pry open two other store ATMs, he said.
About two weeks later, a 23-year-old woman was carjacked, sexually assaulted and left in a desert area in the 2800 block of East Ajo Way, he said.
The suspects robbed three more convenience stores in a two-hour period early that morning. They took an undisclosed amount of money and lottery tickets, he said.
The men face numerous felony charges, including armed robbery and sexual assault.
According to two search warrants, police recovered two handguns, ski masks, a green wrestling mask, bandannas and other clothing items.
Detectives from the department's robbery division, gang tactical division and sexual assault detail collaborated in the investigation.
"We're all concerned about violence in this community and all communities," Middleton said. "We're doing well. We've been able to keep up with these crimes."
