Police: Auto thief arrested after alleged petty theft in central Fresno

A petty theft in central Fresno on Monday led to the arrest of an alleged auto thief and a juvenile carrying a revolver, Fresno police said.

Detectives from the Career Criminal Auto Theft Team responded to the petty theft call around 9 p.m. in the area of Fresno Street and McKinley Avenue after two suspects fled in a 2000 Ford Escort that was reported stolen, Sgt. Doug Goertzen said. The Escort was later found in an apartment complex at 2061 N. Fresno St.

Detectives kept watch on the vehicle until a male driver and a female passenger drove away around 10:20 a.m., Goertzen said. Police followed the vehicle to another apartment complex at 5647 E. Balch Ave, near Kings Canyon Road and Clovis Avenue.

The driver, 18-year-old Marshawn Robinson, tried to run away from detectives after they approached but was later taken into custody along with the passenger, Goertzen said.

Detectives found a loaded .22 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in the female passenger’s purse after searching the stolen car and the suspects, Goertzen said.

Officers found Robinson was on parole for a previous burglary, Goertzen said. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges related to the suspected auto theft and violating parole.

The female passenger was identified as a juvenile, Goertzen said. She was booked into the Fresno County Juvenile Hall on suspected firearm possession charges.

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Police: Auto thief arrested after alleged petty theft in central Fresno."