February 4, 2022 - Property crimes detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 27-year-old Ben Maldonado and 28-year-old Connie Contreras, both of Fresno. They have been booked into the Fresno County Jail.
On January 21st, an armed robbery took place at the 7-Eleven store located at 5630 E. Ashlan in Fresno. Sheriff’s property crimes detectives took over the investigation and began to review surveillance video captured in the area. Detectives identified a possible suspect vehicle, which was a dark colored Chevy Cobalt. Detectives also paid close attention to social media posts from the Fresno Police Department showing two similar style armed robberies which had taken place at 7-Eleven stores in the city of Fresno between on January 9th and 11th. This led them to believe the same suspects were involved.
On January 23rd, another armed robbery occurred at the Central Food Mart located at 2990 E. Central Ave. near Malaga. Sheriff’s detectives were able to confirm the vehicle used in this crime matched the one at the 7-Eleven. Detectives shared this information with the Fresno Police Department and both agencies began to actively search for the vehicle. During this time, two more armed robberies occurred in the city of Fresno. One on January 28th at a 7-Eleven and another at a Johnny Quick gas station on the 30th.
On February 1st, detectives were assisted by one of our K-9 deputies at the Days Inn Motel located at 2640 S. Second St. in Fresno. There they found the Chevy Cobalt they had been looking for, along with another associated vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, which was reported stolen. Sheriff’s personnel observed a man and a woman get into each of the cars. Detectives and the K-9 deputy conducted a high-risk vehicle takedown of both cars and were able to take Ben Maldonado and Connie Contreras into custody without incident. Evidence from several of the armed robberies was located inside the vehicles, as well as in a motel room. FSO detectives contacted the Fresno Police Department and their robbery detectives responded to assist in identifying evidence from their robbery cases and to conduct interviews with the suspects.
The excellent collaboration between the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Fresno Police Department led to the closure of six total armed robberies. Both agencies are proud to take two dangerous people off the street before an innocent person was potentially injured or killed.
Anyone with additional information about anyone involved in these cases is asked to please contact the Sheriff’s Detective Jared Hixson at (559) 600-8061, Fresno Police Detective Carr at (559) 621-2081 or Detective Galaviz at (559) 621-2083. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference sheriff’s case #22-834 or police case #s 220015118, 22001865, 22005272, or 22005835.
Source & photos: Fresno County Sheriff's Office
