Five juveniles in custody for armed robbery in Earlimart

Earlimart, CALIF. (KSEE/KGPE) – Five juveniles were arrested overnight after a pursuit following an armed robbery at a gas station, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say at 9 p.m. Saturday, they received a report for an armed robbery at S&A Gas War, located on the 800 block of South State Street in Earlimart.

Once on scene, Deputies say they were told four males entered the store, with one armed with an assault-style rifle. The suspect demanding money, took cash and personal items valued up to $7,000. The suspects then fled the scene in a grey Dodge Dart.

The Sheriff’s Office says while patrolling the area following the report, a TCSO patrol deputy spotted the suspect vehicle near Richgrove Drive and County Line Road in Richgrove. They attempted to stop the car, but the suspect vehicle then failed to yield, leading to a pursuit in Kern County.

Deputies say the Sheriff’s airplane, Tribute 1, spotted the suspect fleeing the car in the area of Pond Road and Highway 43, just outside of Delano, where they fled to a nearby home. TCSO deputies alongside officers of other law enforcement agencies surrounded the area and the suspects surrendered and were arrested.

This is an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559)773-6218, or anonymously through the TCSO TipNow Program at (559)725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.