Mario Devon Valdez, 23 and Christina Dancy, 23, were arrested June 7 immediately after a store robbery in the 4800 block of Fairmont Parkway, according to Pasadena police.
Authorities say the store had been hit three other times since January. Each time, it was robbed by a suspect armed with a handgun just after it opened for business. The suspect would take the cash and flee on foot.
So on the morning of June 7, detectives were conducting surveillance around the store when they spotted a suspicious vehicle circling the area.
Authorities say one of the people in the car entered the store, pulled out an automatic handgun and robbed the business. But before he escape, he was greeted by several officers. The suspect led authorities on a brief chase but was taken into custody about a block away.
Police then pulled over the alleged getaway vehicle, a red 2000 Mercury Cougar, in a residential area behind the store and arrested its driver.
Authorities say they were able to recover the gun allegedly used in the June 7 robbery, along with the money that was taken. Both Valdez and Dancy were charged with aggravated robbery. Bond for Dancy has been set at $30,000, while Valdez is being held without bond.
Detectives are now trying to determine whether the two suspects are connected to the other robberies at the store.
