Two arrested in connection to downtown robbery

Two men were booked into the Huntington Beach jail Feb. 9 on suspicion of robbing Hashigo Sushi on Main Street a week ago.

A description of a pick-up truck that fled the scene led police to a suspect wanted on suspicion of three separate robberies in Long Beach, according to Huntington Beach Police Lt. Mitch O’Brien.

A witness of the Huntington Beach robbery said the robber was armed with a gun.

Authorities suspect Anthony Lee Bearden, 26, and Tad Lauren Bennett, 27, both of Long Beach, were involved in the Huntington Beach robbery, O’Brien said.

Long Beach Police spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said it’s not clear whether the two are also connected to the three robberies in Long Beach, but the case is still under investigation.

Huntington Beach detectives stopped the truck Feb. 8 in Long Beach and detained Bearden and Bennett. Evidence from the Huntington robbery was found inside the truck, O’Brien said.

A search of Bearden’s apartment also turned up evidence from the Huntington robbery, O’Brien said.

“We believe both are involved in our robbery,” he said.

— Mona Shadia

Twitter: @MonaShadia