1 adult, 7 juveniles arrested following robbery spree, pursuit in Phoenix

Police said the crime spree began when some members of the group committed an armed robbery at the Circle K at 19th Avenue and Grant Street at 1:45 a.m.

One person pointed a gun at an employee and stole money from the cash register. Other members of the group took cigarettes and other items from the store.

"More and more we're finding our young people getting involved in crime and we'd like to stop them, said Sgt. Tommy Thompson with the Phoenix Police Dept."

Twenty minutes later, the same group robbed the 7-11 at 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. Police said they used a gun to steal money, cigarettes and other items.

The vehicle used in the robberies was described as maroon Dodge Caravan.

After the second robbery, police located a vehicle near Interstate 17 and Indian School Road that matched that description and initiated a pursuit because the individuals inside the minivan were believed to be violent.

Police said that at one point during the pursuit the driver of the minivan went the wrong way on Washington Street.

The minivan driver eventually stopped at the Indigo Palms Apartment complex at 37th Street and McDowell Road.

That is where the eight people who were inside the minivan bailed out and officers took them into custody.

One of the suspects was injured by a K-9 officer.

Police said they took a 34-year-old adult male into custody along with 7 male and female juveniles.

They are all facing a variety of charges including armed robbery and felony flight.

"When you go in with someone who has the intention of robbing a facility with a weapon then everybody involved becomes suspect of an armed robbery," said Sgt. Thompson.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance video from the convenience store and other evidence as they work to build a case against the suspects.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper and Phoenix police officer were involved in a collision in downtown Phoenix during the pursuit.

After the collision involving DPS and Phoenix police, the pursuit continued eastbound until the suspects bailed out at the Indigo Palms Apartment Homes near 36th Street and McDowell Road.According to DPS, troopers were assisting the Phoenix Police Department with a pursuit in central Phoenix when the collision occurred near First Avenue and Monroe Street.

DPS said no serious injuries were suffered.

The crash was on the light rail but no light rail functions were affected because the crash was cleared prior to Valley Metro Rail's hours of operation.