UPDATE: Three Suspects Thwarted in 2 Robbery Attempts: Busted and Booked

Update 12:20 p.m. June 26: A booking photo of one of the suspects was released Wednesday June 26 by the Sheriff's Department.

Jacob John Small, 18, of San Jacinto, remained locked up at Smith Correctional in Banning, according to inmate records. His bail was listed at $60,000.

Posted 2:20 p.m. June 25: Three suspects were arrested on suspicion of two robbery attempts thwarted both times by the alleged victims early Tuesday in San Jacinto, a sheriff's sergeant said.

The first attempted robbery was reported at 12:16 a.m. June 25 and deputies responded to Hewitt Avenue and Shaver Street in San Jacinto, Sgt. Craig McDonald of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

"The victim, a 28-year-old male from Hemet, said he was driving in his vehicle when he stopped for the stop sign at the intersection," McDonald said. "Three subjects standing on the side of the road . . . attempted to flag him down.

"With the victim still stopped at the intersection, one of the juvenile suspects pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the victim, and racked the slide on the gun," McDonald said. "Fearing for his life, the victim rapidly accelerated away from the intersection and drove to a safe location where he called 911 to report the incident."

Less than 35 minutes later, deputies were searching for the suspects when they received a call of a robbery that had just occurred about three blocks away at North San Jacinto Avenue and Esplanade Avenue, McDonald said.

Deputies responded and contacted the alleged victims, a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, both from Hemet, McDonald said.

"The victims advised they were sitting at a bus stop at the intersection when they were approached by three subjects," McDonald said. One of the suspects "removed a handgun from his waistband and pointed it directly at the 25-year-old victim's head.

"The three suspects told the victims to empty . . . their pockets on the ground," McDonald said. "Both victims began to empty their pockets. The 25-year-old victim pushed the gun away from his head. Both victims began to fight off the three attackers, then ran to a nearby 24-hour business to call 911, all the while being chased by the suspects who were threatening to shoot them."

The two men from Hemet got inside the business and the three suspects left the area, McDonald said. Shortly after, deputies located three suspects a block away on Santa Fe Avenue north of Esplanade Avenue, and one of them allegedly had a handgun.

The suspects were identified as Jacob John Small, 18, of San Jacinto, and two 17-year-old male juveniles from San Jacinto and Hemet, according to McDonald and inmate records. All three were detained.

The handgun allegedly used in both incidents was reported stolen, McDonald said.

"One of the juvenile suspects sustained a minor head injury during his struggle with the victims," McDonald said. "The 25-year-old victim sustained minor injuries during the incident. Neither the suspect's nor the victim's injuries required immediate medical attention."

Small was booked at Smith Correctional in Banning on suspicion of robbery with a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, two counts of conspiracy, and attempted robbery with a firearm, McDonald said. His bail Tuesday afternoon was $60,000, according to inmate records.

Both juveniles were booked at Southwest County Juvenile hall on the same charges as Small, McDonald said. Anyone with more info was urged to call San Jacinto police, a branch of the Sheriff's Department, at (951) 654-2702.