After weeks of intensive investigation, San Pablo police arrested seven suspects — two adults and five juveniles — connected to a violent armed robbery that took place earlier this month.
On Sept. 9, around 5:18 p.m., officers responded to reports of an armed robbery in the 900 block of Trenton Boulevard. The victim had arranged to sell clothing items through social media and met with a potential buyer. During the meeting, four masked suspects arrived, assaulted the victim, and two displayed handguns, striking the victim multiple times before stealing the clothing items and fleeing on foot.
Detectives used the city’s Public Safety Camera Network and other investigative tools to identify seven individuals believed responsible for the attack.
This past Wednesday, officers executed search warrants at seven different locations across Contra Costa County with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Antioch Police Department, Central County SWAT, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Task Force, Hercules Police Department and Richmond Police Department.
All seven suspects were taken into custody without incident. Investigators reported recovering two firearms and several stolen items linked to the original robbery. The two adult suspects were identified as Richmond residents Damien Featherstone, 18, and Denis Melendez, 20.
Both were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, accessory and conspiracy. Four juveniles were booked into the Contra Costa Juvenile Hall on the same charges, while one juvenile was released to guardians due to a medical condition. They are not being named because they are minors.
The San Pablo Police Department expressed gratitude to its partner agencies for their support in the operation. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact Detective J. Hearn at [email protected] or the SPPD Investigations Division at (510) 215-3150.
