Two children arrested after alleged Bakersfield carjacking, Shafter robbery and pursuit

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Two children have been arrested after being accused of a carjacking in Bakersfield, robbing a convenience store in Shafter at gunpoint and leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase.

The Shafter Police Department said that on June 11, 2024, at approximately 9:20 p.m., officers were called to the Chevron convenience store, located in the 6600 block of East Lerdo Highway, after receiving a report of of an armed robbery that had just occurred.

Police said officers were provided with descriptions of the accused suspects as well as a description of the suspect vehicle.

When officers arrived, they confirmed that an armed robbery had occurred with a firearm and that the business had suffered a monetary loss.

Officers confirmed that two alleged suspects committed the robbery and left in a white sport utility vehicle heading toward Highway 99.

Shafter Police said officers initiated a security broadcast to surrounding allied agencies with descriptions of the alleged suspects and descriptions of the suspects' vehicles.

Minutes later, the Shafter Police Department learned that the accused suspect's vehicle was being pursued by the Bakersfield Police Department and that it was a stolen vehicle that had been stolen during a carjacking. car shortly before in Bakersfield.

The Bakersfield Police Department, with assistance from the Kern County Sheriff's Office Air-1 and patrol units, pursued the suspect vehicle and ultimately took both alleged suspects into custody and seized the weapon and monetary losses.

The suspects were identified as children and transferred to the juvenile custody of the Kern County Probation Department on several charges, including robbery, assault with a firearm and conspiracy.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Kinkade at 661-746-8500.