Robbery suspect just 11 years old

The elementary school student and two others were caught after a homeowner surprised them inside his Ruskin home, police say.

By STAFF WRITER
Published January 9, 2006

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RUSKIN - A standoff began with a gunshot Monday and ended with a surprise for the SWAT team.

One of the three suspects who surrendered after barricading himself in a home was 11 years old.

The boy, a Cypress Creek Elementary School student, faces two felony counts of armed robbery. A 16-year-old girl who surrendered with him, Alicia Paula Sandival, faces identical charges. Santiago Sanchez, 21, the suspected ringleader, faces two counts of armed burglary and aggravated battery with a firearm.

About 10:45 a.m., Joel Barrera returned to his Ruskin home to find three people inside. Sanchez fired a shot at Barrera, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said, and the suspects ran out the back, dropping CDs on the lawn.

The trio fled to the Morning Side Mobile Home Park, 221 21st St. SE, and holed up in the home of a woman who was babysitting. She grabbed the two children she was tending to and ran out.

Deputies on the scene ordered the three people to come out. When that didn't work, the SWAT team arrived, and the suspects surrendered.

Some of Barrera's jewelry was recovered on the suspects, Carter said. The trio didn't say how they knew each other, she added.