Mecca gang member arrested for North Shore armed robbery
The second man accused in a North Shore armed robbery from March 13 was arrested early Friday morning, just one day after his alleged accomplice was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.
Rafael Isais Murua was taken into custody around 1 a.m. Friday in the 72000 block of Fantail Drive in North Shore after deputies served a search warrant related to the armed robbery at Reyes Market, located in the 98000 block of Avenue 70.
Sheriff’s deputies said Murua is a documented Mecca gang member and they found evidence linking him to the armed robbery.
Murua was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio on charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, accessory after the fact, and two felony counts for violating his probation, according to the sheriff’s release.
His alleged accomplice, 21-year-old Jacob Lee Couie, was arrested Wednesday around 9:30 p.m. in the 101000 block of Sea Breeze Drive for his involvement in the robbery. Deputies said he’s facing charges of attempted homicide and armed robbery.
Police haven’t released additional details about the attempted homicide charge other than a store clerk being hospitalized in serious condition following the robbery.
Couie was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio with bail set at $1,000,000 late Wednesday night.
The Southern Coachella Valley Community Services District Team served search four warrants at four separate North Shore locations as part of a followup investigation.
Investigators are still looking for more leads. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Deputy James Knudson with the Thermal Station at 760-863-8990.
