Merced Police make arrests after robbery spree

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Merced police officers have tracked down a pair of armed robbers they say terrorized several store clerks earlier this week.

Detectives say Bryan Green and Gregory Lowery were high on a cough syrup cocktail when they began their crime spree here. But their money and freedom didn't last long after a gang officer immediately identified them from surveillance video.

Around 12:00 p.m. Tuesday at K and K Oriental Market was the first store hit. The clerk behind the counter only had a few hundred dollars, but wasn't willing to give it up without a fight until the suspects pulled out a gun.

"I couldn't even really think much, I just closed my eyes," the victim said. "I just remember seeing the barrel right in front of my face."

Just 15 minutes later, investigators say the suspects were at U-Save Liquor, surveillance video shows one suspect demanding money from the clerk, while the other is forcing customers to get down. Another customer walks in during the robbery and is told by the suspects to just stay put.

"The suspect Lowery had told one of the customers that 'hey, we're not here to rob you, we're just here to rob the store' and during his interview, he actually told our detective, 'I don't rob people, I rob stores because they are reimbursed for their losses.'" Sgt. Curt Gorman with the Merced Police Department said.

After a final hold up in Winton, the pair ended up at Adams Auto Sales in Merced. Video shows the two counting thousands of dollars and even high-fiving the salesman before driving off the lot with a gold Jaguar and blue Saab.

"They are celebrating," Gorman said. "I guess their momentary victory by purchasing a couple cars and just kind of a slap in the face to everybody, all they did was terrorize a few citizens."

The joyrides didn't last long, Officers caught up with Lowery and the gold Jaguar Wednesday in Sacramento. By nightfall, Green was at Merced Police headquarters, wanting to talk too.

Both suspects are facing three counts of armed robbery. Investigators are still looking for that blue Saab.