Clark County sheriff’s deputies arrest third suspect in string of armed robberies

Clark County sheriff’s deputies arrested a third man believed to be involved in a string of robberies and thefts targeting people selling things online. Two other suspects were arrested last week.

Moises Pena, 23, of Longview was arrested after Clark County detectives teamed up with detectives from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.

Pena is facing first-degree robbery with a firearm, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and second-degree theft. He was identified as a suspect after his photograph was shared with the media, and a member of the public recognized him, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Howard Osawa, 18, and Va’Zjahn Willis, 19, were also arrested in connection with the string of robberies, the sheriff’s office said.

Clark County deputies responded at 5:20 p.m. Nov. 6 to a report of a robbery at an apartment complex in Salmon Creek. The victim told deputies he communicated online with someone looking to buy a cellphone and arranged to meet in person for the transaction, the sheriff’s office said.

Three people arrived in a blue Dodge Durango. One of them took the cellphone from the victim before pointing a gun at his head and then hitting him with it, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office described the weapon as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine.

Investigators recovered the vehicle and firearm used in the robbery, a prior sheriff’s office news release states.