UPDATE (12:15 a.m.) – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two men on suspicion of armed robbery and attempted carjacking.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an attempted robbery at the parking lot in Pirate’s Cove.
Officials say the suspects went up to a driver’s window and pointed a gun, threatening the driver. That victim drove off and called 911. Deputies say the two suspects then confronted another driver in a different vehicle at the same location. The suspects took personal property from the victim and attempted to steal the victim’s car which ultimately was not successful.
After confronting the two victims, the suspects took off on foot, but deputies were able to capture the two men after a short pursuit and took them into custody.
According to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects have been identified as Brayan Arellano, 20 of of Santa Maria, and a 17-year-old juvenile. Arellano was booked into County Jail on charges of armed robbery, attempted carjacking, making terrorist threats and conspiracy. The juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Services Center where he is facing the same charges.
No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE (10:40 p.m.) – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies are still actively investigating a reported robbery near Pirate’s Cove.
Kenneth Ulrich says two men robbed him at gunpoint but he says those two men were taken into custody. The Sheriff’s Office wasn’t able to confirm whether anyone had been arrested.
“The guy knocked on the window and I couldn’t see who it was, so I rolled the window down and the gun came in the window. That’s when I really did not know what to do. I said are you joking and he started yelling at me ‘I’ll kill you, I will kill you, get out of the car now, I’ll kill you,’ and I was like wow and he started reaching through stuff so I grabbed his hand and then he grabbed the gun and I thought it was time to get out,” said Ulrich.
Ulrich says the men took his car keys, but did not steal his vehicle. He says the men did take his iPad and iPhone, but he was able to recover the iPad nearby.
Ulrich says a woman was also robbed at gunpoint Monday evening, reportedly by four men. Investigators are looking into both reports. It is unclear whether there are any other outstanding suspects at this time.
A CHP helicopter was part of the search at one point, but it is no longer in use. The Sheriff’s Office says a few deputies are still on scene.
More information is expected to be released later.
ORIGINAL STORY – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies are searching the Pirate’s Cove area after a man says he and another person were robbed at gunpoint Monday evening.
KSBY spoke with one of the victims at the scene near Cave Landing in Avila Beach. He says two people pulled a gun on him and took the keys to his car before running off. They didn’t take his vehicle.
The victim says a woman was robbed just before he was. He says four people held her at gunpoint at Cave Landing.
Several sheriff’s units are at the scene involved in the search, and a CHP helicopter is also being used.
According to the victim, two people have been located in connection with the robberies, but the other two are still on the run.
A KSBY crew at the scene says CHP officers are blocking Cave Landing Road.
Stick with KSBY for updates on this developing story.
