Suspects arrested after string of armed robberies

Four suspects drove south on the U.S. 101 early Tuesday morning, robbing convenience stores at gunpoint from Morgan Hill to King City, where they were finally arrested with cash and a handgun, police said. 

The first robbery was reported at the Chevron gas station, 851 Cochrane Road in Morgan Hill, about 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, according to Morgan Hill police Sgt. Troy Hoefling. 

The investigation determined that a black male about 5 feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and a mask over his face displayed a handgun to the store clerk and demanded all of the cash in the register, Hoefling said. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene. 

Officers arrived to the store minutes after the robbery was reported, but the suspect had already left, Hoefling said. 

Police broadcasted an alert to surrounding agencies to be on the lookout for the suspects, Hoefling said. 

Shortly after the Morgan Hill robbery, Gilroy police reported a similar incident at the Chevron station at 5887 Monterey Road in Gilroy, police said. The suspects fled that scene before officers arrived as well. 

Later Tuesday, King City police reported yet another robbery at a gas station in that city, Hoefling said. Police determined that incident happened after about as much time as it would take to travel from Gilroy to King City. 

The investigation of the robbery in King City identified a possible vehicle used in the incident, Hoefling said. 

The California Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle, police said. The vehicle was occupied by four males. 

During the stop, officers saw currency, masks and a handgun in plain sight in the vehicle, Hoefling said. 

The occupants of the vehicle were arrested and transported to the King City police station, police said. Officers from Morgan Hill and Gilroy responded to assist in the investigation. 

The four suspects are from the Vallejo area, Hoefling said. They were booked on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy. 

The suspects’ names were not available as of Monday morning.

The investigation is ongoing and surrounding police agencies are investigating to determine if any of the suspects are wanted for other robberies, police said. 

Anyone with information about this case may call the Morgan Hill police department at (408) 779-2101, or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.