Martinez, CA — Two 18-year-old women have been charged in connection with a violent robbery that took place outside the Rossmoor Safeway on August 7, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the store in the 1900 block of Tice Valley Boulevard, near Rossmoor. Police say a 62-year-old Walnut Creek man was sitting in the passenger seat of a van while his partner shopped inside.
According to investigators, Jaycee Whitney Chamberlain Behnke of Walnut Creek and Antonina “Hunter” Abdulwajid of Concord, along with two juveniles, approached the van in a vehicle and circled it several times.
When the man exited the van and walked toward the suspects’ car, one of the juveniles allegedly jumped out and began attacking him. Abdulwajid and the second juvenile reportedly joined in, punching and kicking the man until he fell. He was then repeatedly kicked while on the ground.
The attackers allegedly stole the victim’s personal belongings before fleeing. Witness accounts and video surveillance confirmed the assault, according to Walnut Creek Police.
Officers located the suspects’ vehicle less than half a mile from the scene, leading to the arrest of all four individuals. Behnke and Abdulwajid were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, while the juveniles were taken to Contra Costa Juvenile Hall. Juvenile cases will proceed through Juvenile Court and remain confidential.
Behnke and Abdulwajid have each been charged with second-degree robbery (Penal Code 211) and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury (Penal Code 245(a)(4)). Abdulwajid was arraigned August 14 in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez. Behnke was arraigned on August 12. Bail for each was set at $80,000.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 22 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 22 at the Pittsburg courthouse. If convicted, both could face up to six years in state prison.
“Everyone deserves to live in safe and secure communities,” said Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. “The collaborative work between Walnut Creek Police and my office demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of others.”
