Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery on Wednesday in San Pablo that targeted a mother walking to her apartment with her 5-year-old daughter, police said.
Damon Dixon, 23, of Hercules, Deja Munson, 20, of Vallejo, have been booked into custody, and police are looking into whether the pair have targeted other victims, according to the San Pablo Police Department.
The armed robbery occurred about 2:17 p.m. Wednesday, when Dixon allegedly approached the mother and her child, pointed a handgun in the mother’s face and demanded her purse.
“The suspect then told the mother he would ‘kill’ her daughter if she didn’t give up the purse,” police said.
Dixon grabbed the purse and fled in a blue Dodge Dart allegedly driven by Munson, police said.
Investigators used surveillance cameras from a nearby apartment complex, along with surveillance cameras and automated license plate reader cameras positioned throughout San Pablo and along the freeway, to quickly identify the suspect vehicle and the direction it went.
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Investigators not only learned the identities of the suspects as Dixon, a parolee at large, and Munson, but believe the suspects had identified their victims at a supermarket in Rodeo and followed them home to conduct the robbery. Munson was arrested at her home about 3:23 a.m. Thursday. While serving a search warrant, some of the victim’s property was recovered, police said.
Dixon was found Friday after the Contra Costa County FBI Safe Streets Task Force initiated a county wide surveillance operation for him. At 4:21 p.m., task force agents identified Dixon walking within an apartment complex on Paradise Drive in Hercules. Dixon attempted to flee from officers but K-9 unit found him hiding within a stairwell, where he surrendered peacefully.
Dixon was found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber handgun. Both suspects were subsequently booked into County Jail and will be charged with robbery.
Investigators say evidence suggests there may be more victims. Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department at 510-215-3150, or the West Contra Costa Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 510-799-8255. All callers can remain anonymous.
