SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A suspected gang member was behind bars in Texas today for allegedly taking part in a North Park marijuana-dispensary robbery during which one of the perpetrators died in a shootout with a security guard.
Federal agents took 21-year-old Jonathan Collins into custody on suspicion of murder Tuesday evening at a Houston apartment complex, Deputy U.S. Marshal Alfredo Perez said. The suspect, the second arrested in the case, was booked into Harris County Jail pending extradition proceedings.
Collins was the subject of a warrant from San Diego in connection with the holdup and fatal shooting at a medicinal-cannabis shop in the 3800 block of Ray Street on April 25.
Shortly before 12:30 that afternoon, one of two teenagers trying to rob the business exchanged gunfire with a security officer. The other youth, 18-year-old Marlon Thomas of San Diego, died at the scene. The guard suffered a non-fatal bullet wound to the abdomen.
In May, the suspected fugitive gunman, Kurese Bell, then 17, was arrested at a Los Angeles-area motel. He was charged as an adult with murder, attempted murder and robbery and faces life in prison if convicted.
Homicide Lt. Paul Rorrison declined to disclose Collins' suspected involvement in the crime.
Four days before the fatal shootout, Bell and Thomas allegedly held up an employee at a smoke shop on El Cajon Boulevard. The robbery was interrupted when a second worker yelled out, sending the suspects fleeing. Before leaving, Bell trained his gun on one of the victims and fired off a round, but missed, according to prosecutors.