By Mary O’KEEFE

Glendale Police are asking for any witnesses who may have seen a robbery on Sunday afternoon in Montrose.

The incident began about noon when witnesses called police to report two men involved in an apparent robbery in progress in a parking lot in the 2300 block of Honolulu Avenue. By the time officers arrived the two suspects, later identified as Sean Marshall, 18, from La Crescenta and Christian Sapien, 19, from Glendale, and the victim had left the parking lot, said Sgt. Robert Breckenridge.

Witnesses reported seeing the victim get out of a vehicle and run. He was allegedly being chased by Marshall. “We found the victim [nearby],” Breckenridge said.

Further investigation led officers to believe the incident was a drug deal gone wrong. The victim was allegedly attempting to purchase drugs from Marshall and Sapien who apparently had planned on taking the victim’s money without giving him the drugs, he said.

Marshall and Sapien are well known to Glendale police from past arrests. Through investigation and witness descriptions the police found the suspects’ vehicle and the two suspects. They were arrested at Cañada Boulevard and Glorietta Avenue in Glendale for robbery at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

This shows how things go from passive to aggressive, said Sgt. Tom Lorenz.

The suspects are allegedly part of a crew that has been arrested in Crescenta Valley in the past.

“They started off as a tagging group then got involved in recreational drug use and now [face] addiction and have [been arrested] for larceny theft. They are committing more violent acts. If this shows us anything it shows the ridiculous progression of drug abuse and how it impacts society,” Lorenz said.

Police are still looking for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at (818) 548-4840. Calls will remain confidential.