Robbery, Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Gang Enhancements
Release Date/Time: 5/2/2011 4:03 PM Officers responded to an armed robbery that just occurred on San Benito Street near the Portuguese Hall. The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by two suspects. The victim described one of them wearing a black hoodie, blue pants, holding a silver handgun. As this was being dispatched, an officer was on Wood Street approaching E. Alisal Street when he observed a white Lexus parked on the west side of Wood Street. As he approached, the passenger exited the vehicle and walked toward E. Alisal Street. The passenger, identified as Christopher Rendon (Age 27), matched the description of the suspect and the officer attempted to contact him. Initially Rendon ignored the officer's request to stop and he turned away. As he did this, he reached into his front waistband area and tossed something shiny into the shrubs. The officer held Rendon at gunpoint until other officers arrived to assist. Rendon was taken into custody without incident. Officers searched the brush and found a loaded, chrome revolver. The wallet taken from the victim was also found in the middle of the street at Wood Street and E. Alisal Street. Three other robbery victims from earlier in the evening were brought by for infield lineups and all of them positively identified Rendon as the suspect. The robberies all occurred within a half hour of each other. The handgun was reported stolen out of Napa, CA. Rendon also had a payroll check from one of the victims in his pants pocket. Rendon admitted to being an "active" gang member. He was booked into the Monterey County Jail for numerous gun charges, four counts of robbery, and gang enhancements. Release Authorized by: Lalo Villegas |