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Armed robbery suspects arrested

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Mahealani Austin, Brooke Hollins and Marcus Robinson. (Booking photos courtesy LASD)
Mahealani Austin, Brooke Hollins and Marcus Robinson. (Booking photos courtesy LASD)

PALMDALE – Two men and a woman were arrested this week in connection with a string of armed robberies that started in December 2011 at a Palmdale business and then continued throughout Palmdale and Lancaster until August 2012, authorities said.

Mahealani Leialoha Austin, 25, Marcus Travis Robinson, 24, and Brooke Hollins, 22, were arrested Wednesday after a surveillance and search warrant operation. The three Palmdale residents are each facing 72 criminal counts, including armed robbery, kidnap for robbery and assault with a firearm, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau. Read it below:

The Lancaster Station’s Detective Bureau – Robbery Suppression Team are asking for the public’s help in obtaining information regarding a string of robberies that started in 2011 in the two cities of Lancaster and Palmdale.

The Lancaster Station’s Robbery Suppression Team began investigating multiple armed robberies which occurred throughout the Antelope Valley between 2011 and 2012. The armed, masked suspects entered the businesses and obtained money, sometimes forcing the employees into back rooms of the businesses forcing them to open the safes.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5th 2014, after a surveillance and search warrant operation, three suspects, Marcus Robinson, Mahealani Austin and Brooke Hollins, all of Palmdale, were arrested. They were taken into custody at two separate locations, where a firearm and other evidence related to the crimes were found.

Over the past two years the Robbery Suppression Team has continually followed up on these cases conducting countless interviews, serving multiple search warrants, conducting several surveillance operations and countless other investigative means.

This case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office on Feb. 7th 2014, and 72 counts were filed against the suspects, which included armed robbery, kidnap for robbery and assault with a firearm.

Anyone with information about these robberies is encouraged to notify the Lancaster Station Detective Bureau- Robbery Suppression Team at 661-948-8466.

UPDATED 2/10/14: Austin, Robinson, and Hollins were arraigned in an Antelope Valley courtroom on Friday, Feb. 7, according to court records. Each pleaded not guilty to all 72 criminal counts and denied all special allegations, and bail for each defendant was raised from one million to $11 million, according to court records. Austin, Robinson, and Hollins are due back in court on Friday, Feb. 21 for a preliminary hearing. At the conclusion of that hearing, a judge will decided whether there is enough evidence against the trio for the case to go to trial.

UPDATED 2/21/14: All three defendants appeared in an Antelope Valley courtroom Friday, Feb. 21 for a scheduled preliminary hearing. However, the hearing was postponed until Friday, March 7 to allow defense attorneys more time to receive discovery information. We will continue to follow this story.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

77 comments for "Armed robbery suspects arrested"

  1. Marcus shouldn’t be in prison. I don’t care if he did it or not. I will always have love for him he has a career and he is very intelligent. 11 million bond is ridiculous. Free Marcus and send his ass back to Nebraska!

  2. I been knowing Booka for years and he not that type of person to commit this crime. I don’t think he did it at all.

  3. I don’t know either of the supsects but from reading the report and the comments I fel like everyone is out of order. Some posting thing about knowinf them very well, but you just never know what people would do in depserate & pressuring siuations. Others are posting about they’re guily because of their past, their race and the community they grew up in, if that’s the case, all of us should be arrested. Lastly, people are blaming Marcus for influencing Mehealani and Brooke, every has their own mind & will, if Brook really desperately wanted to leave him she would’ve put in more of an effort, and Mehealani should’ve just been a man about it, if he wasn’t down with it, he should’ve made the choice not to do it. I pry that if they are innocent that they’ll receive justice, but if they’re guilty, consequences are to be paid unfortunately. I just pray for our young adults of this nation, we’re really losong out grips off the things that actually matter in life:God, family & pursuing what makes us happy. Marcus, Mehealani & Brooke will be in my prayers along side others in need and are facing difficult situations.

    • its funny how quick, and easy it is for you to say something like that… I can bet anything that if it was your family, you would be writing something totally different than what you have posted. When situations aren’t close to home, we can easily pass judgement, and say something as ignorant as that… As many have stated before there are plenty of people that have been falsely accused of something that they had nothing to do with, and spend almost all, or all of their lives in prison. We all have heard of people that have suffered wrong accusations, when cops plant something on an innocent person, and then that person spends time in prison for a cop doing something dishonest to that person… James i’m definitely not saying that they are innocent, but let the courts decide that, then post something like that. In our judicial system everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and there hasn’t been a verdict read saying that they are GUILTY!!! Quick judgments are always thrown by the ignorant… Show intelligence, and be ready to listen and learn before yelling out ignorance…

  6. Dang… I know these guys, I met the girl once before I really can’t speak on her behalf. However Mackey and booka go way back. And who cares what they were doing back when they were in middle school and high school. That was a Long ass time ago… They are all grown now, and smart enough to know that things change and the law matters when you become 18. So on that note I don’t believe either of them would put themselves in this kinda situation, knowing outcome. And if they were thieves and the way you guys are making them out to be don’t you think they would have stole enough to get the hell out of the av. Come on be smarter than that. I understand someone has to be guilty of these crimes but I don’t think its them I just think they got arrested for fitting the bill. If you know what I mean. I jus

    • Can’t believe this. I was just talking to booka the day before this happened in fact I talk to him every day and I don’t get how this could be possible. I love him with all my heart and soul and I know he is innocent. We were talking of moving and getting married and have our own little family. Everything was almost perfect. And now we are having to deal with this nonsense. I’m on their side of this and the law can kiss my Puerto Rican ass. My future is innocent and so is his brother and Ms. Brooke. I love you and I’m here, you’re in my prayers and we are gonna figure this put. Eff a public defender. There is no case!!

      • kay d– Case or no case, you better pray they get a caring public defender! Someone that actually cares about truth. I’ve been down this road a few times. Oh yes, effective is always a plus.

        • At lily I say no to a public defender cuz he needs a lawyer a real lawyer not someone who may or may not care… I been in trouble before not I know how it works.

  7. I remember these guys from school they would always start fights! Once the evidence comes out I think they’ll be guilty !

    • I think that the comment that was just made by you is false and you need to stop lying on these young men. I myself went to school with these guys and I never known them to be that way. These young man have good hearts and wonderful personalities with no bad intentions. There parents didn’t rise them to be made out as bad guys. I know that as a fact. So who ever you are continue your day by not trying to sabotage someone else.

  8. They are guilty people are jus indenial because they knew them. Even the smartest people do the dumbest things. The police can’t jus build an imaginary case against someone they have proof the police cant arrest people and pursue them on imaginary pretenses. Everyone is saying they are nice. .blah blah blah that’s bs. Money is the root to all evil they got caught up probably flashing. They’re guilty and all the ppl claiming they are innocent ur dumb and $10000 to get one of them a lawyer will NOT be enough.

  9. If you don’t know what you’re talking about please [removed] up. All you idiots yelling guilty I’m so glad you’re not any kind of lawyer or judge. Do you realize that if they had all the evidence they needed they wouldn’t be asking for help? I don’t believe my sister did this and yea I’m biased but if you truly knew Brooke you would know she’s innocent. And if it turns out she’s guilty I’ll still believe she’s innocent. How about this lets refer back to what our parents taught us when we were little: If you have nothing nice to say don’t say it at all.

      • To each-one-teach-one here a newsflash for you majority of time when the state ask for help the evidence the do have is not strong enough. So you want to be aware of the facts before you speak.

        • When the police say ‘if anyone knows anything please come forward’ they are just throwing it out there to see if anyone knows anything that can help strengthen their case. It doesn’t mean they have a case or don’t have a case. Generally the arrest means they do have pretty solid evidence and over 90% of those charged plead out for a reduced sentence. People start reading way too much into a pretty general request of the public. What are they supposed to say? If you know anything don’t bother telling because we have an airtight case against them and don’t want any more evidence or witnesses.

  10. Hold on was everyone on this reply board there? Maybe you was? You guys talk like you know? If you don’t shut up because only god knows what went down you guys talk and assume people are guilty why because they’re black and y’all talk about Marcus like you guys know him from the back of your hand and some of you don’t know him at all do you guys have all the facts? you don’t know if he is guilty he has family that is going through hell over this and you guys talk like they are monster/animals and you don’t know the half so keep your negative comments to yourself you don’t know they life “marcus” really and you guys that suppose to be family or friends post stupid things like you know talking about what he did to “Brooke” what about what she do to him you don’t really know their relationship so shut up and if he was doing all that to her why did she stick around…but its not my place to entertain you so oh well and please leave Marcus name out of your comment and mouth if you not his family please and thank you now go take a seat!! And guilty he have not killed anyone to be a monster I can see if he did something to hurt some one physically so shut up and do you have the evidence that they are guilty? No neither does the police Marcus and Brooke has never been in trouble before they both was on the right track with they life so don’t say they are monsters don’t state nothing if its not a fact and when they are proven innocent all you people that talk about how bad they are you so called friends and family don’t be all smiling in they face …… you people are bs look at this and respond to it like it was your family…..

  11. I just can’t take reading these comments a second more. Not because they are geared toward someone I know and care for but because people are so quick to judge based off of literally no evidence. They are asking for the publics help, despite the fact that last night this article claimed they had them on a surveillance video. Well if that were true where is the video? Where is any of the evidence? Where are any of the real facts? They found a weapon at the scene linked to the crime? Since when does any Los Angeles county lab get evidence back that fast? It seems to me that they are assuming the weapon is linked. Further more had they had any REAL evidence they would have never made this headline news and places their pictures in the paper. This is a ploy hoping that someone recognizes them and is willing to come forward now that they have been apprehended. I won’t try to convince the public of the character of the person that I know because unless you had the type of encounters with them you would never understand the heart of that person. I am meerly looking at this from a law stand point. I just wish people were as quick to give others the benefit of the doubt as they were to prematurely judge!

  12. People keep saying that they don’t believe they did it. Well your belief means nothing. You don’t know what people did or didn’t. In these times, I wouldn’t put anything pass anyone esp. In the av. When something tragic happens everyone ALWAYS says rat they would never think the person could have done it. Well guess what, people do things out of character all the time. No one knows but those three.

    • And just because one goes to college, doesn’t mean they are innocent. Shall I bring up all he recent school shootings? All done by college students with “futures” and neither does having a job or wanting a promotion. Maybe they did it, maybe they didn’t.

  13. The United States justice system is a joke, a for-profit organization that capitalizes on the fact that we live in a society that cripples people, then punishes them for limping. I’m not at all saying that justifies criminal acts, and I am not eluding to the idea that these three are guilty. All I’m saying is the US population to incarceration ratio is extremely skewed. It makes no sense that the US has more people imprisoned than all of China. Before we judge people so harshly, quick to “lock people up” and “throw away the key” maybe we should first examine the type of environment that we live in. What type of sick environment creates a demand for prisoners? What type of sick environment makes non-violent drug offenders do more time than murderers and rapists? Yes people do crimes, but the solution is not to overcrowd prisons, dole out outrageous sentences, and cost taxpayers money; the solution is to assess the culture of this society and stop for-profit and private prisons. Once funds stop being poured into the prison system, they won’t have such a high demand for prisoners… and maybe this new form of slavery can be outlawed.

    • That is because China would never publish real numbers pertaining to it’s justice system. And the fact that many never make it to prison. They disappear in the middle of the night.

  14. Man all these people on here talking about they guilty yall can go to hell clearly yall dnt watch the news but a BLACK go convicted of a crime that he did not do and spent the majority of his life behind bars and he recently jus got out of jail…..people get convicted of crimes every day and turns out they were innocent the av is very racist period…..I went to school with both of the guys and mahealani was the sweetest person kept everyone laughing which doesnt mean people dnt change or get caught up in something they cant get out of or also be at the wrong place at the wrong time…but for you people thats judging the situation these 3 people could be one of your family members and you all would be saying the same thing their innocent they wouldnt do that but who really knows a person……stop judging these are people jus like your self …and people make mistakes some are short term lessons and some are life long lessons….

    • What the heck point are you trying to make? From what I read; a black person living in the AV may or may not get wrapped up in criminality for being in the wrong place based upon family membership/friendship status. That is about as racist a conclusion as any I’ve read. The facts and evidence will be presented. Until then, does it really matter?! Right now it looks like a two year investigation has them identified as the culprits who went on a crime spree. I did see in the story that all the culprits homes were searched. That normally means evidence was found that solidified a two year case. Good luck to them staying out of jail with $ 1 mil dollar bonds each. ; )

  15. They are looking at WAY more than 20 years. The maximum sentence for ONE Robbery is 5 years. If you use a gun that adds 10 years. Then, just ONE conviction for Kidnap for Robbery is 7 years – Life. If they are convicted of those three charges for one incident and sentenced to the maximum, they will do 85% of 22 years before they are even eligible for parole. They could then be denied parole every few years for the rest of their lives. Every additional incident adds several more years.

    These are terrible crimes that hurt people for the rest of their lives. If these people did these things they deserve an extremely long sentence.

  16. Funny thing is if y’all REALLY knew them, this doesn’t sound too far fetched. Sure they had good things going for them now, and they went to school. But what does that mean? I mean I hope it works out for them because like I said, they all have [removed] going good for them today

  17. These guys are far from role models they were always fighting and now they’re thieves.. There lucky they didn’t break in to a home and got there head blown off.. Now they’ll be in jail and pay let’s just say karma comes back for you!

  18. I personally know each of these outstanding citizens. They’re each college educated and are role models in our community. I can’t believe anyone would believe these leaders could possibly be accused of robbery. The charges should be dropped against them because the videos have to be rigged with look-alike actors. How dare any of you believe the Sheriff’s department. This must be a set-up.

    • Who has that much time OR money to HIRE actors to “set up” innocent people surely NOT Lancaster, Palmdale Little Rock or Lake L.A. SMH you sound as ignorant as all those SCREAMING they are outstanding citizens and role models in the community. You hand a twisted sense of OUTSTANDING and ROLE MODEL. And if you OR they have children I suggest you get a Dictionary and figure out the meanings. But with mentality like this I see why this upcoming generation is in a CRISIS. YES innocent until PROVEN guilty BUT lets be realistic you don’t REALLY ever know someone. Hence the woman that married a child molester and didn’t know our the man who never thought “his” wife would be the one wanted by FBI for a bombing 20 yrs ago. SMH and these IGNORANT comments.

    • Role models and outstanding citizens and leaders ???? Strong words, did they go to war,end world hunger , save lifes from a burning building . Going to college doesn’t make you any more important then the next person.

  19. ppl are crazy to think they really know a person. Come on now everybody talking about they innocent and don’t think the girl did it plz..them mf’s guilty as charged and I believe they all came together and did it together and got greedy and now they about to get like 20 years after they try to fight it instead of taking a deal…

  20. I am VERY close to Mahealani and he is such a goofball and so loving and I refuse to believe that he would do something like that … Innocent until proven guilty if you do not know them personally keep your comments to yourself unless you just have so many facts on the situation, Which I am positive NONE of you people screaming “guilty” does!! People get arrested all the time doesn’t mean they did it so chill. All I can say is I’m praying that it isn’t true.. Prayers going up .. Love u Mahealani !!

  21. I personally know Brooke, and she is such a sweet heart, she would’ve never in a million years done something like this on her own, prayers for her, and her family. Mahealani is also a great person, this is SO unlike him, I’m still in awe, I just cant believe it. Hopefully the real story comes forth.

    • Even if the REAL story does come out, would you accept it? I too have family and friends that have strayed from the correct path. You can’t undo or not see evil when it slaps you in the face!

    • I used to work with an older gentleman a few years back who was the nicest man you would ever meet. Then one day he just snapped and took an axe to his wife of 50 years.

      People do some crazy things and appear so normal but unless you are with them 24/7 no one can truly know a person.

  22. I know brooke personally poor girl was working her butt off to get away from Marcus. She was trying to move to san diego and become a cop considering she has no family out here. She is innocent! I can bet my life on it.

    • I know Brooke as well, and she is a reputable, hardworking, kind person.
      I don’t believe she could be guilty of this, but I do believe Marcus has dragged her into this mess. I’m praying for you, Brooke.

      • Into what mess because if you know marcus you would knowhe had goals and was doinq thinqs with his life ass well

        • Haha marcus? Lady are you family related? Marcus had no job he did nothing. He had no goals. Anyone who PERSONALLY new marcus new that!

          • I agree with what desiree said but idk marcus only thing i know about him is he would leave bruises all over brooke

  23. I notice theyre asking the people if they know anything. I wonder how much evidence they have. Interesting. Well p*** someone off in the Antelope Valley. and they sure will do everything to try and prosecute you. guilty or not guilty.

    • Marcus would ask her to borrow her car & drop her off at work and be gone for hours. Brooke was trying so hard to get away from him she actually had a interview on wed for a promotion within the company she was working. Its funny people say she was guilty she would never commit a crime.

      • when mackey was boxinq makinq thousands it was all qood qet out of here she use to ride in his whip

  24. I could have sworn the article states that whoever did it were masked suspects witch are two great key words because it clearly means they see their faces and that it might not be then they just suspect it could be which is simply because they black No excuse me colored in this racist highly unequal community you people that characterize criminals by their skin color are actually the [removed] yes I said it you are the important humans beings that showed be placed behind bars for having such a [removed] up mind state black or white your stupid as hell for judging someone fora crime that you even know for certain they committed and take from black criminal justice student working on her bachelor’s degree must inmates are imprisoned because of mistaken identity and in Lancaster the suspect is always black even ifa white man did it

    • Is this what AV is doing driving our young people to do? we of all race need to do is pray for all our young people, and help them go to school, and find jobs, Lord have mercy on our young.

  26. Well if you dont know the story dont state your facts they are all innocent untill provin guilty nd this is fam so plz have respect as if they were yours

  27. There is no way that they did this, number one because they are African American. oh wait they were born here so they are American. so there color should not have anything to do with anything!!! However if they are guilty and i’m sure there is evidence to show that although i’m sure it will be stated the evidence was planted so forth and so on. Bottom Line White , Black, asian, whatever if they committed the crime they will pay but it will be up to the evidence, courts and the Jury to make that decision not a bunch of keyboard attorneys on this site. Remember the jails are filled with innocent people just ask them. Good Job Deputies, good luck two the three amigos hopefully for your sake you are innocent but if not enjoy your stay at the big house.

  28. I just have to say, that I know these people. and for the ones who don’t don’t let the mug shot tell you a story that you just want to hear.

  29. Dont be so quick to judge. Everybody is innocent until proven guilty. The press lies all the time, which i am not saying these allegations are not true but none of you really knows what happened to keep your vigorous opinions to yourself.

  30. I find it truly unfortunate that so many decide to steal but in all honesty I didn’t hear one thing about them killing someone but yet they’re monster? I don’t agree with what has been shown but I’m just glad they didn’t murder anyone, just my opinion. whatever happens now is all from evidence, I don’t know them but better choices could have been made

    • They may not have killed anyone, but it says they have kidnapped someone or some people and once something like the happens to a person they will never be the same, their life is changed forever. People work hard for their stuff and for some low life to violate them by robbing and stealing from them is wrong, so yea they are monsters.

  31. I really pray to God it isn’t so. I remember the boys from school and they where goof balls, good grades and played sports. I won’t believe it and I see racism is still very much alive in the a.v. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, because the outside is never what the inside really is. I’m praying g for you all and I really hope it isn’t so.

  32. All of you sound very stupid. They are suspects, not GUILTY untill proven otherwise. Im not saying that they did nit commit these vigorous crimes but you cant judge a book by its cover. Everybody deserves s fair trial. EVEN BLACK PEOPLE!!!

  34. iam African American I just hope they get whatever they deserve good or bad. I hate thievery, however I support justice regaurdless of skin tone

        • Oh c’mon!!!! A dirtbag is a dirtbag PERIOD!!!! QUIT playing the freakin worn out race card and move the hell away from here if you think everyody here is racist… Either that or behave like a decent human being!! MmmKaayyyy?

    • And to you what about the black man who had crack planted at his establishment, did he also look guilty to you, did he look like a crack smoking American society corrupting creep. I bet he did I your eyes because you seem like the one to judge, when you have no role as one, and that’s just my observation.

      In our Judicial system everyone is innocent until proven guilty even White women who kill babies, or Latin women who cut off a man’s penis, heck even Black men who murder their whole family and set the house on fire.

  37. I will gladly pay taxes to keep these sorry bottom feeders in jail. I’m sure by tmmr allll their family & friends will be screaming they’re good innocent people. I’m so sick of people taking things they didn’t earn… Consider yourselves lucky you didn’t try to rob me!

    • People like you say that you would’ve done something about it. But realistically you type of people wont do anything but sit in a corner and pray hoping just like anyone else would, that this person don’t shoot me. So please don’t act a certain way on media because we all are lucky no one got hurt plain and simple.

      And another thing did you know that you would get charged for murder or attempted murder if you shot, stabbed or even threw a deadly object at a fleeing suspect. Think about that before you start imagining your are superman or wonder woman.

      • Your WRONG! It would be investigated as a crime until the facts justify a charge be forwarded or dropped. Stop watching cop shows and take a few classes before you state such stupidity. FYI, every state has varied laws as to how they handle JUSTIFIABLE homicide.

        For the family and friends of these 3 upstanding citizens; in order for them to even be arrested in this high profile a case, there has to be a mountain of evidence. So yes they are innocent until the evidence is presented. However it’s going to be interesting to see their defence to overcome a two year investigation. By the way, asking for the publics help is standard verbage. Look back at previous such stories.

      • @AV Resident… I am fully aware of the BS california laws that do not allow us to protect ourselves against thieves & home invasions. The exact reason why I have 240lbs of dogs with insurance. I’m 31 yrs old and have had 3 attempted sexual assaults on me in my life. Luckily my mother a weapons specialist taught me a gun does not have to be the first line of defense. So your assumption that I meant kill them was wrong, but you better believe if you put your hands on me or my possessions I work hard for… I’m taking something to!

    • Please they got evidence hello, and it not the paper accusing these ppl they are just reporting the news.
      How can any claim there innocent when they been investigated for years……wake up, wake up!
      PPL WORK TO HARD TO HAVE THE THINGS THEY DO FOR SOME LAME, INCONSIDERATE PPL TO COME AND TAKE IT, AND QUIT BLAMING THE MAN PULLED THE GIRL IN TO THIS MESS……SHE DOESN’T LOOK STUPID, WE ALL GOT CHOICES AND SHE MADE THE CHOICE TO DO THESE THINGS FOR YEARS!
      I BELIEVE THEY ARE GUILTY!

    • AMEN!!!!!
      AMEN!!!!!
      NOTHING LAST FOREVER THEY HAD TO KNOW SOMEDAY THEY WOULD BE CAUGHT!!!!!
      SMH………GLAD THEY GOT CAUGHT SO GLAD!