Modesto police arrest four in smoke shop robbery

Four suspected robbers tried to “blend in” when they saw a Modesto police officer by driving into a Jack in the Box drive-through, authorities said Monday.

The ploy didn’t work. Officers surrounded the car and arrested all of them, including a 14-year-old who ran from the car but was quickly apprehended.

Modesto police spokeswoman Heather Graves said detectives believe it was the 14-year-old who was armed with a gun during a robbery several hours earlier at Cousins Discount and Tobacco.

Two masked people entered the store in the 100 block of Carver Road about 9:30 p.m. The owner was inside with his 12-year-old and 14-year-old sons, Graves said.

The suspects took cash from the register, as well as merchandise including vaping pens and a hookah. They were seen driving from the area in a dark sedan.

Officers with Modesto’s Street Gang Unit were doing follow-up work on the robbery when they spotted the car near the Jack in the Box on West Orangeburg Avenue about 11:15 p.m.

Officers recovered property from inside the car that linked the four to the earlier smoke shop robbery. The investigation will continue as detectives believe the four may also be linked to other recent robberies, Graves said.

Jose Ramirez, 18, was arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and child endangerment charges; he is believed to have been in the store with the 14-year-old and given him the gun.

The 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and resisting arrest.

The two other men in the car, Adam Estrada and Jairo Hernandez, both 20, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy charges.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Modesto police arrest four in smoke shop robbery."