Two U.S. Marines and their suspected woman accomplice are believed to have worked together to rob a pregnant woman who was walking on a trail in Redding.
Redding police have obtained arrest warrants for the two Marines suspected of committing robbery and assault on June 20. The woman believed to be involved has been arrested.
Lance Swann, 20, of Laguna Niguel, and Jeffrey Thomas Walton, 20, of Ventura, both Marines, have been detained at Camp Pendleton by Naval Criminal Investigative Services, a Redding police news release states.
The incident began with the victim,Nicole Vultaggio, 18, of Redding and Erica Swann, 29, of Anderson walking west on the River Trail near the Sundial Bridge. They were robbed by two men at about 10:45 p.m., an earlier news release states. Vultaggio, eight months pregnant at the time, was beaten and choked, while Swann was unharmed. Both women's purses were taken.
Vultaggio was taken to Mercy Medical Center and gave birth to a premature but healthy baby.
Police say investigators focused on Erica Swann, who did not appear to be targeted, and found that she had sent text messages to unknown numbers seconds before the attack. Subsequent investigation revealed the texts were sent to be Lance Swann, who resides in Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego.
Investigators identified Walton as Lance Swann's associate. The press release states that Walton confessed to the assault and robbery with Lance Swann and confirmed Erica Swann's involvement.
Erica Swann was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, robbery, and felony assault.
Lance Swann and Walton will be charged with conspiracy, robbery, and felony assault. Swann will also face a charge of spousal abuse, being the father of Vultaggio's baby.
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