SWEETWATER COUNTY — Two Sweetwater County residents were arrested after an alleged armed robbery on Interstate 80 last week. One of the suspects not only made a video recording of the incident, but also narrated it.
On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 4 p.m., Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office SCSO) deputies responded to the parking lot of Cruel Jack’s Travel Plaza for a report of an armed robbery.
Upon arrival, deputies learned that the robbery had occurred moments earlier while traveling in a vehicle on Interstate 80 west of Rock Springs, according to the a SCSO press release.
“One of the suspects was alleged to have robbed the victim at gunpoint, while the other suspect video recorded and narrated the robbery in progress,” the SCSO stated.
After pleading with them for his life, the suspects pulled off of the interstate near Cruel Jack’s and allowed the victim to get out of the car before getting back onto the interstate and driving away, according to the press release.
The next morning, on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, deputies and detectives located both suspects and took them into custody without further incident. During separate searches of each suspect’s residence, detectives successfully recovered some of the items stolen from the victim during the robbery and also seized the firearm that investigators believe was used during the robbery.
The suspects were identified as Jinyi Isaiah Benjamin Martinez, 24, of Green River, Wyoming, and Nicholis Roy Roberson, 24, of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Both face possible charges of aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, kidnapping and theft, and they remain in custody at Sweetwater County Detention Center pending court proceedings.
The dedicated men and women of SCSO thank the community for their continued support, and remind everyone that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with law.
