Five Arrested in Armed Robbery Spree

Auburn, Calif.- Five armed robbers from Sacramento, including three juveniles, robbed two Placer County businesses last night, injuring one clerk, before being arrested as they fled westbound on Interstate 80.

The crime spree began at 10:40 p.m., when the clerk at the Comfort Inn on Auburn Ravine Road in Auburn called Placer County Sheriff’s 911 dispatch center to report that she had just been robbed at gunpoint. The female clerk told deputies that four men wearing masks and gloves entered the lobby.   One man stomped on the telephone, breaking it into pieces.

At 11:09 p.m., another 911 call came from the clerk at Colfax Food and Gas on S. Auburn Street, who stated that he had just been robbed by five people who entered the store pointing handguns at him. He was ordered to open the cash register and then told to get on the ground. The robbers took money and other items and then threw the cash register drawer at the victim’s head, causing injury.

Surveillance video was gathered from both locations and information about the vehicle was broadcast to all nearby law enforcement agencies. Approximately 20 minutes later, an Auburn Police officer saw the car pull into the Holiday Inn. The suspect vehicle got back on I-80 with the Auburn officer behind it. Multiple agencies, including the CHP and Rocklin and Roseville police departments, assisted in a felony vehicle stop just off the freeway at Rocklin Road. Money, guns, and masks were recovered

Arrested were Jamaul Lee Baker, 26, and Justina Irene Baker, 22, and three juveniles; one 15-year-old and two 14-year-olds. Both Bakers were booked at the Placer County Jail on charges of armed robbery, conspiracy and child endangerment. The juveniles were booked on charges of robbery and conspiracy at Placer County Juvenile Hall in Auburn. The Sheriff’s Office is working with other jurisdictions to see if these suspects are responsible for other robberies.