SANTA FE SPRINGS — Police arrested three robbery suspects late Wednesday after one of them claimed he was attacked in an unrelated incident, authorities said.
Adam Giavelli, 21, of Pico Rivera, Joseph Torre, 21, of Santa Fe Springs and a 17-year-old Lawndale boy were booked on suspicion of robbery, Whittier police Lt. Carlos Solorza said.
Police responded to a report of an armed robbery about 9:10 p.m. in the 11500 block of Telegraph Road, near Orr and Day Road, the lieutenant said.
The three suspects allegedly confronted a Santa Fe Springs man in his 30s, brandished a screwdriver and demanded money, police said. The alleged victim handed over about $25.
About and hour and a half later, “We got a call to assist the fire department on a medical aid,” Solorza said. “The victim of that was one of the (robbery) suspects.”
Giavelli, who appeared drunken and was bleeding from a previous head injury where he had stitches, told investigators he was jumped by gang members, police said.
Solorza said Giavelli was accompanied by Torre and the teenager when authorities arrived.
“An officer recognized the three of them, because they matched suspect description (in the robbery),” he said.
The alleged assault took place within half a mile of the scene of the earlier robbery.
Unless Giavelli posts $50,500 bail, he will spend his birthday, Friday, behind bars, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s booking records. Torre was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Information regarding their initial court appearance was not available Thursday, though criminal suspects being held by police are generally brought before a judge within two days of arrest.
Police said the teenage suspect was sent to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.