An 18-year-old suspect was arrested Friday evening after allegedly displaying a pistol and threatening victims he was attempting to rob.
Turlock police officers responded to the 200 block of Lander Avenue at approximately 5:36 p.m. on the report of a robbery.
The victims of the robbery had called police after a male suspect, later identified as Tyler Van Winkle, 18, was caught while he was allegedly stealing two phones from an unlocked car, according to the Turlock Police Department.
Van Winkle was caught in the act by the victims, who approached the suspect.
When confronted, Van Winkle allegedly displayed a pistol and threatened the victims. At this time Van Winkle fled, and the victims contacted police, according to the Turlock Police Department.
Turlock police were able to apprehend Van Winkle on the 400 block of North Broadway Avenue, said Turlock police spokesperson Sgt. Stephen Webb.
Police found that the pistol allegedly displayed by Van Winkle was a BB gun, however the victims had believed it to be a real firearm.
Van Winkle was arrested for robbery and criminal threats.
Free access to community forum.
Hey thats my homeboy! He is such a nice kid never wanted to hurt anyone. he is loving and wouldnt hurt a fly. And the Turlock Cops just out looking to bust anyone. This kid was only saving the people from some bad guy that may have had a real gun from stealing there cell phones. he was helping them. The cops and the jerks who got there phones stolen need to be in jail.
This”kid” should’ve been busted a long time ago. I’ve personally tried helping him clean up and get off the streets. Only to end up the victim. I guess that’s what happens when your raised by wolves. Good job turlock pd!
Yeah angel did no good considering he was smoking dope in the bathroom while there were kids in the house!