On December 29, 2013 at approximately 1:45 a.m., the Los Banos Police Department responded to a convenience store in the 1700 Block of East Pacheco Boulevard regarding a suspicious vehicle. The store clerk reported a suspicious vehicle was parked behind the store after a customer watching the vehicle occupants reported they were acting suspicious. The Clerk requested an area check believing the occupants were planning to rob the business.
Officer Fiafaimane Leao arrived and located a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, with paper license plates, parked behind the store. The vehicle was occupied by two 16-year-old juveniles and 19-year-old Justin Luster of Richmond California. While the Officer spoke with the vehicle occupants he could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside of the car. A records check of the vehicle identification number confirmed it had been reported stolen on December 1, 2013 from Oakland California.
The three suspects were removed from the vehicle and during a search Officers located a replica firearm concealed in one of the juvenile’s socks, and suspected methamphetamine in Luster’s possession. During the investigation Luster attempted to conceal his identity by providing a false name to Officers however his true identity was confirmed after he was placed under arrest.
“We strongly believe the suspects were planning a robbery but thankfully the Clerk called 9-1-1 and our Officers were able to intervene before the suspects entered the store.”
-Ray Reyna, Police Commander
Luster was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail pending $25,000.00 bail, charged with possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, providing false information to a police officer and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The juvenile found in possession of the replica firearm was booked into the Merced County Juvenile Hall Facility charged with possession of stolen property. The third juvenile was released to the custody of his family.
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
