Man arrested in connection with Whittier robberies released
WHITTIER -- Police released a man early Sunday who was arrested on suspicion of two robberies Saturday, authorities said.
Matthew Ortega, 22, of Whittier was arrested along with a 15-year-old Whittier boy shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of robbing two men within minutes of each other, Whittier police Lt. Steve Dean said.
Police released Ortega from jail Sunday morning due to a lack of evidence against him, pending further investigation, Dean said. The teen remained jailed at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
The robberies occurred just after 6 p.m., police said.
A man was sprayed with pepper spray and robbed of his backpack on the Greenway Trail just east of Painter Avenue, Dean said, then a second man was robbed of his money at knifepoint on Painter Avenue, just south of the trail.
Both Ortega and the teen, whose name was not released due to his age, were arrested in the area, police said.
Matthew Ortega, 22, of Whittier was arrested along with a 15-year-old Whittier boy shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of robbing two men within minutes of each other, Whittier police Lt. Steve Dean said.
Police released Ortega from jail Sunday morning due to a lack of evidence against him, pending further investigation, Dean said. The teen remained jailed at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
The robberies occurred just after 6 p.m., police said.
A man was sprayed with pepper spray and robbed of his backpack on the Greenway Trail just east of Painter Avenue, Dean said, then a second man was robbed of his money at knifepoint on Painter Avenue, just south of the trail.
Both Ortega and the teen, whose name was not released due to his age, were arrested in the area, police said.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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