2 jailed for 2 likely linked robberies

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Two young men were arrested for allegedly robbing two stores in Grand Rapids hours apart on Monday.

The two suspects were taken into custody later that night, police told 24 Hour News 8.

Freddy Villalobos, 17, and Miguel Angel Arellano, 19, were arrigned Wednesday on charges of assault with intent to rob while armed and conspiracy to assault with intent to rob while armed for an incident at the Butterworth Party Store, as well as armed robbery and conspiracy to rob while armed charges for the robbery of Our Food Market.

In the first robbery around 10:20 a.m. at Butterworth Party Store, 944 Butterworth St. SW, the clerk told 24 Hour News 8 his mother was running the store when the two suspects came in. The surveillance video shows one of the suspects pointing a gun at the clerk, while the other suspect walked around the counter and went to steal some cash from the register but couldn't open it. A customer then arrived at the store and scared the robbers away.

Then around 11:42 a.m., surveillance video shows two men walked into Our Food Market, 423 Webster St. NW, and their clothing matched that worn by the robbers from the previous crime.

The robbers pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded cash and cigarettes.

"I was still on the phone," manager Rick Singh told 24 Hour News 8, adding that the robbers told him to give them money. "I didn't realize what was happening."

Singh said after the robbers took off with the cash, he followed them out and saw them get into a car and drive away. He ran back inside the business and called 911.

One of the suspects has been linked at two robberies at Tacos el Cunado; one in December and another in January.

Anyone with more information about either of these crimes is asked to call Silent Observer at 616.774.2345 or the Grand Rapids Police Department at  616.456.3400.