Two women held in Newark robbery, assault of ice cream vendor

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 24, 2009 | by Ben Aguirre Jr

NEWARK -- Two women are expected to face criminal charges today after police said they pummeled and robbed an ice cream vendor in Ash Street Park.

Authorities were dispatched to the park, near Wells Avenue and Elm Street, about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday after witnesses reported the crime.

When officers arrived, they saw one of the women punching the vendor, police said. The vendor was not seriously hurt.

Police later learned that as the 25-year-old vendor was assaulted, the women apparently made gang-related statements to him, and took his money and several ice cream bars, police said.

Police recovered all of the stolen items.

Newark residents Marisela Magana, 23, and Melissa Nunez, 19, each were being held Wednesday in Fremont City Jail on suspicion of robbery with a gang enhancement.

They were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail, and are scheduled to be arraigned today in the Fremont Hall of Justice, according to county booking records.

Reach Ben Aguirre Jr. at 510-353-7011 or baguirre@bayareanewsgroup.com. Read his blog at www.ibabuzz.com/ tricitybeat.