Captured: Man and woman believed to be behind a string of robberies

PALMDALE – A 31-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man who were arrested Sunday night on robbery charges may be responsible for two prior robberies, according to a Sheriff’s report.

Robin Engram of Lancaster and Jeffery Johnson of Palmdale were arrested around 7:30 p.m. Sunday for allegedly robbing a smoke shop in east Palmdale at gunpoint.

Deputies believe the duo also robbed a separate nearby business on Nov. 17 and again on Nov. 25.

The following is the news release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station:

The Robbery started when Palmdale Station received a 911 call from a witness of the crime indicating the “Smoke Shop” at 2531 East Avenue S was being robbed at gunpoint by two suspects wearing masks. The witness was inside of the business when the two suspects, a male and female, entered the location, produced a firearm and declared the location was being robbed.

The witness fled the location and immediately called authorities with a description of not only the suspects, but the vehicle they were driving.

The suspects forced one of the store clerks to open the register where they took the cash from the register and fled the location in a silver Kia spectra.

As deputies canvassed the area, Palmdale Patrol Deputies Michael Luter and David Camps observed a silver Kia spectra waiting for a red light at 40th Street East and Avenue S, with two occupants matching the suspects’ descriptions.

Deputies Luter and Camps, along with assisting units, conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle near the 4000 Block of Elwood Avenue, Johnson’s home, and detained the two suspects for a robbery investigation.

During their investigation, deputies located a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic handgun, a pair of black gloves, a black ski mask and scarf, as well as a large amount of US currency.

Both suspects were identified as the suspects behind the robbery that had just occurred, and also matched the description of two suspects that had robbed a separate nearby business on 11-17-11 and again on 11-25-11.

Deputies continued their investigation by serving a search warrant on Johnson’s home where they located a “Luger” Tec-9 assault pistol.

Both suspects were transported to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station where Engram was booked on robbery charges; Johnson was booked on charges of robbery, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and convicted felon carrying a concealed firearm.

Both suspects are being held on $50,000 bail with an arraignment date of 11-29-11.

Palmdale detectives believe the two suspects are responsible for the prior two robberies on Nov. 17th and 25th.