Seaside Police arrest two armed robbery suspects

Two armed robbery suspects are in custody after leading Seaside Police on a high-speed chase that reached speeds over 100 mph early Sunday morning.

Police say they responded at 5:55 a.m. to reports that a masked man brandishing a pistol took an undisclosed amount of cash from the 7-11 store at 1212 Fremont Boulevard in Seaside, leaving in a waiting gray Honda Accord driven by a second man.

While investigating the robbery, officers got word of a second armed robbery taking place at the Shell gas station at 1600 Canyon del Rey Boulevard.

When officers arrived, they spotted a gray Honda Accord that matched the description of the vehicle used in the earlier robbery. The car sped away, weaving through traffic on southbound Del Monte Boulevard before entering southbound Highway 1. After reaching speeds well over 100 mph, the Honda crashed into a traffic light post at the Highway 68 exit off of Highway 1.

Police say two men jumped from the car and one tossed a handgun into the nearby bush. Police captured both men and recovered the gun and other evidence.

The suspects were identified Emilio Froilan Gomez and Thomas Ray Martinez, both 20 years old. Police believe Gomez and Martinez committed two additional convenience store robberies, one in Salinas and one in Toro Park earlier that morning.

Gomez and Martinez are being charged with three counts of armed robbery, conspiracy, evading police, and brandishing a weapon.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the robberies is encouraged to contact Seaside Police at one of the following numbers:

Anonymous Tip-Line – (831) 899-6282

Seaside Police Department – (831) 899-6748