SUSPECTS HELD IN STUDENT ROBBERIES SHOTGUN USED TO THREATEN TEENS ON WAY TO SCHOOL.

Byline: CHARLES F. BOSTWICK Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- Four teenagers and a 20-year-old man are in custody on suspicion of holding up Highland High School students on their way to school.

Armed with a sawed-off shotgun sometime between 8:15and 8:45a.m. on Wednesday, the robbers confronted at least four teens or groups of teens walking in the area of Avenue P-8 and 22nd Street West, just east of the school, deputies said.

``They appear to have ties to street gangs. We are investigating that further,'' Detective Mark Machanic said Thursday. ``They're currently being investigated to see if they are involved with any other robberies we have on record.''

The robbers stole a digital music player, shoes, cell phones, video games and cash from the teens they accosted, sheriff's and school officials said. The robbers were on foot.

``It's an unfortunate thing that happened, but it shows a positive reaction to it,'' high school trustee Al Beattie said. ``We are not going to let this kind of crime take place. We got the manpower out there and took care of it.''

All from Palmdale, and at least one a former Highland High student, the five suspects were arrested Wednesday afternoon, about eight or nine hours after the robberies.

One of the victims recognized one of the robbers as a former student at Highland High School, Machanic said. Deputies watched the teen's home on Edgemont Drive, and when they knocked on the front door, three teenagers ran out the back door.

After a search of the neighborhood, the three were found hiding in a nearby backyard. The 20-year-old and a juvenile were arrested at the home. Deputies found a sawed-off shotgun and stolen property at another nearby home after obtaining a search warrant, Machanic said.

The adult suspect's name was not immediately released. The teens were not named because of their ages. Machanic said all had prior arrests or had prior contacts with law-enforcement officers.