Police have arrested six young suspects allegedly involved in a crime spree throughout Chula Vista that included an attempted homicide, home burglaries and stealing from middle school students on the streets.
The Chula Vista Police Department said Thursday that five suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime spree that began as early as October 2014.
Those suspects included: Delvon Edward Miller, 20; John Albert Rocha, 18; Mikey Robert Palomata; 18; and Marco Morales; 19.
All four young men were arrested on Tuesday, most of them at their homes.
Miller was charged with attempted homicide, two counts of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of conspiracy and mayhem. He was in possession of pepper spray at the time of his arrest, police said.
Rocha was booked for robbery and Morales was booked for residential burglary. Police said Palomata was arrested at the CVPD station after police told him to come in to pick up some recovered stolen items. Instead, he was charged with robbery.
A fifth suspect, a 17-year-old Chula Vista resident, was also taken into custody and booked into Juvenile Hall for attempted homicide and robbery. Police said the San Diego District Attorney’s office is considering charging him as an adult.
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On Friday, CVPD officials announced a sixth suspect had been arrested in the crime spree: a 17-year-old accused in a May 23 robbery on North Brook Avenue of a victim seeking to purchase a GoPro camera.
Police said this suspect was also allegedly involved in two robberies of middle school children on May 26. In one instance, he pointed a replica firearm at his young victim. The suspect was not named, as he is a minor, but police said he turns 18 this month.
Investigators said there is a seventh suspect outstanding in this case, 20-year-old Samuel Armstead. He’s wanted on charges of attempted homicide and robbery.
Police said the crimes in this series include an October 2014 burglary at a home in the 900 block of Wild Oak Road with losses nearing $17,000. Morales and one of the juvenile suspects are linked to that case.
The same juvenile is linked to an April 2015 felony assault in the 2500 block of Noble Canyon Road.
The May 23 robbery on Northbrook Avenue is also connected to Rocha and Palomata. During this incident, the suspects agreed to meet a victim to sell him a GoPro camera. During the meeting, police said the suspect struck the victim, threatened to shoot him and threatened to have a weapon before taking nearly $800 in cash and a cellphone from the victim.
Investigators said Morales and Rocha are linked to a May 26 incident in which they allegedly robbed a 13-year-old of his cellphone on the street. A few minutes later, two victims – ages 12 and 13 – called police to report being robbed by two men at gunpoint who took their iPad and cellphone.
Police said Morales’ white Ford Fusion vehicle was used in both May 26 robberies.
On June 14, the crime spree turned even more violent.
Police said that just before midnight, as many as five suspects attacked a 15-year-old victim at the intersection of Ortega Street and Anapanu Avenue, stealing his wallet, cellphone and cash.
The victim was struck over the head with a pole, punched and doused in pepper spray. The head injury sent the boy to the hospital with a fractured skull.
Investigators said Miller, Palomata, Armstead and at least one of the juveniles were involved in the violent attack.
Finally, on June 15, a 21-year-old victim called police to report that he and a companion had been approached by Miller and Armstead while at a gas station at 950 Eastlake Parkway. Miller and Armstead demanded money.
The victim told police he recognized the suspects as aspiring rappers that he had worked with before. When he refused to hand over cash, the suspects both allegedly punched and kicked him repeatedly.
Police said the victim suffered facial injuries and had his cell phone, wallet, watch and one of his shoes stolen.
The CVPD believes there are more victims out there who have been assaulted or robbed by this group of suspects. Anyone with information on this crime spree – or the whereabouts of Armstead – should contact the CVPD’s Crimes of Violence Unit at (619) 691-5202 or (619) 691-5151.
