Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix police have arrested four men accused of carrying out a series of violent armed robberies that left residents shaken and, in one case, placed a 10-year-old girl in direct danger, authorities announced.
Following weeks of surveillance, investigative work, and intelligence gathering, detectives with the Phoenix Police Department identified and took into custody the suspects believed to be responsible for the crimes.
The suspects have been identified as Josue Rafael Colon Rodriguez, 23, Darol Daniel Garcia Santana, 23, Scarlyn Lebron Ogando, 23, and Ronnie Baez, 26.
Early-Morning Home Invasion Marked by Violence
The first reported armed robbery occurred on September 29, just before 5 a.m., according to police. Investigators say three to four armed suspects forced their way into a Phoenix home through the front door, carrying handguns and rifles.
Once inside, the suspects allegedly demanded money from the occupants while aggressively searching the residence. During the ordeal, police say one suspect grabbed a 10-year-old girl by her hair, pointed a handgun at her, and forced her to move throughout the home for approximately 30 minutes.
“This was an extremely traumatic incident involving a child,” said Phoenix Police Sgt. Lorraine Fernandez, emphasizing the seriousness of the alleged actions.
Second Robbery Unfolds in Broad Daylight
A second armed robbery took place on October 8 at around 2:15 p.m., marking a shift from early-morning violence to a daytime home invasion.
According to police, a victim was approached at his front door by several unknown men armed with handguns. The suspects reportedly demanded money before forcing their way inside the home and beginning to search through the residence.
Detectives arrived during the incident, prompting the suspects to flee before further harm could occur.
Major Arrest Operation Conducted in December
After months of investigation, authorities moved in on December 17, arresting all four suspects with assistance from the South Mountain Precinct Neighborhood Enforcement Team.
As part of the operation, robbery detectives authored three separate search warrants, which were executed by the department’s Special Assignments Unit (SAU) at multiple residences across Phoenix.
The searches resulted in a significant and alarming seizure of evidence.
Large Cache of Weapons and Drugs Recovered
During the execution of the warrants, officers recovered:
- 5 rifles
- More than 10 handguns
- Large quantities of ammunition
- 7.5 pounds of fentanyl
Police say the discovery highlights the dangerous nature of the suspects and the potential threat posed to the community.
“The recovery of this amount of weaponry and fentanyl underscores the seriousness of these crimes,” Sgt. Fernandez said.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Court documents indicate that Josue Rafael Colon Rodriguez, 23, has been formally accused in connection with one of the armed robberies. Authorities have not yet released full charging details for the remaining suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police have not disclosed whether additional victims may come forward or if more charges could be filed as evidence continues to be reviewed.
Authorities believe removing these suspects from the streets will have a meaningful impact on neighborhood safety, particularly given the alleged use of high-powered firearms and the involvement of children during the crimes.
Should penalties be harsher for armed home invasions, especially when children are involved? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.
