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Palmdale Trio Arrested, Charged In Connection With String of Robberies

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Two men and a woman from Palmdale suspected in a string of robberies that started in 2011 were arrested Wednesday, the Lancaster Sheriff’s Department said today.The trio were charged with 72 counts including armed robbery, kidnap for robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon, City News Service reported. The suspects, Marcus Robinson, 24, Mehealani Austin, 25, and Brooke Hollins, 22, were arrested at two separate locations after a surveillance and search warrant operation revealed a firearm and other evidence tied to the crimes, according to Deputy T. Ruiz of the sheriff's Lancaster station.

The robberies in question took place throughout Lancaster and Palmdale between 2011 and 2012, with the armed robbers donning masks and forcing employees to open safes at various businesses. The suspects are connected to robberies at more than 10 pharmacies and retail businesses in the area, the sheriff’s department told LAist.

The suspects are being held in lieu of $1 million bail each.

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