Man wanted in California robbery arrested in Yuma

Yuma police arrested a California armed robbery suspect after a high-risk stop Thursday.

According to spokesman Officer Joe Franklin, on Thursday the Ventura County Sheriff's Office contacted the Yuma Police Department for assistance in locating a suspect in a Ventura County, Calif., armed robbery.

Christian Samuel Frias, 19, was wanted in a robbery Jan. 23 at the Silverstrand Beach parking lot. Frias and another suspect allegedly took two victims' valuables after displaying a handgun and a tire iron. Franklin said the Ventura County Sheriff's Office had information that Frias was staying in Yuma with his girlfriend at a relative's residence in the 2900 block of South 1st Avenue. The YPD Gang Unit, Crime Suppression Unit and members of the Special Enforcement Team set up at several locations Thursday to conduct surveillance of the residence.

At about 7:35 p.m. that day, a vehicle matching the description of Frias' car was seen leaving the alley behind the 1st Avenue residence. After positively identifying Frias as the driver, a high-risk stop was conducted and Frias and his girlfriend were taken into custody.

Frias, who made his initial appearance in Justice Court on Friday afternoon, was booked into the Yuma County jail for the outstanding felony warrant. The girlfriend was interviewed and later released.

YPD encourages anyone with any information on Frias' activities during his stay in Yuma to call Detective Dennis Dyer at 373-6035, Detective Robbie Rosas at 373-6036, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.