LATHROP — Two men are behind bars after an armed robbery during Wednesday’s pre-dawn hours that occurred near Lathrop City Hall.

According to police reports, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 4:04 a.m. Wednesday to the 17000 block of  Wood Creek Lane in Lathrop in response to a call about a robbery.

When deputies arrived, they learned that the victim was sitting in his car near Towne Center/Golden Spike waiting for a friend who commutes to Bay Area with him.  The victim was looking down and when he looked up he saw a black male standing next to the driver door holding a rifle and demanding money from him.  At the same time another black male opened the passenger and reached in taking the victim’s wallet, phone and keys.  Both suspects fled toward Golden Spike where a white Buick driven by another black male picked them up and fled eastbound on Towne Centre.  The victim was able to provide partial plate to the deputies. 

 A short time later, the victim called deputies back advising that his iPhone had been tracked to Ryde/Calriva in Stockton.  Deputies checked the area and they located the suspect’s vehicle.  Suspects N’Cobe Williams, 19, and Lance Jett, Jr., 19, were arrested.

 Next to the car the suspects were in was a BB gun riffle with the stock broken off. The victim’s  phone and debit card were also located in the vehicle.  The victim was able to positively identify both subjects.

Both suspects were transported to the San Joaquin County Jail and booked for robbery and conspiracy to commit crime. Williams also booked for violation of probation warrant.