The Manteca Police Department arrested four people on Monday – three of which were juveniles – for robbing The CVS Pharmacy on North Main Street.

More than a dozen bottles of liquid medication – much of it controlled substances – were recovered, along with three semi-automatic handguns, magazines, and a clown mask.

The agency was contacted by onlookers that informed them about four individuals that looked like they were getting ready to rob the pharmacy. Manteca Police officers that were in the area responded to the scene and spotted the vehicle as it pulled away from the curb – initiating a short pursuit.

When the vehicle ultimately crashed trying to flee police, two suspects bailed on foot and were almost immediately captured along with the two individuals that stayed inside of the car.

The only legal adult in the group, 18-year-old Anthony Fernandez of Stockton, was arrested and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of robbery, conspiracy, carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying an unregistered firearm, carrying a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, and other assorted charges. He is being held on $465,000 bail and is set to answer to the charges in court in Manteca next week.

The remaining three juveniles will face charges as well.

And had it not been for the public, the suspects would have had a good chance at disappearing -

“The Manteca Police Department would like to thank our community for staying vigilant and notifying us of the suspicious activity,” the agency said in an update on the arrest. “We could not have done this without your help.”

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.