Russell student cited for burning test in restroom

On May 1 at about 1:20 p.m., Milpitas Police Department responded to arson at Thomas Russell Middle School at 1500 Escuela Parkway.

That afternoon, a 13-year-old Milpitas boy entered a boys restroom and allegedly lit a test booklet on fire. Several pages in the booklet were engulfed before another student extinguished the fire, police said.

The boy was cited and released for unlawful burning, police said.

11-year-old starts fire near Mount Diablo home

On April 29 at about 7:15 p.m., Milpitas police and fire personnel responded to arson at a residence on the 1500 block of Mount Diablo Avenue.

Police said an 11-year-old Milpitas boy used a lighter to ignite a piece of paper near some leaves. The leaves ignited and crept toward a shed, a house and retaining wall, all of which caught on fire, they said. Fire crews arrived to extinguish the flames.

No damage estimate was known. The boy was not charged in the case, police said.

Suspected robber nabbed at Santa Clara hotel

On April 27 at about 11:30 a.m., Milpitas police responded to a robbery at Wal-Mart at 301 Ranch Drive.

Police said 22-year-old transient Franklin Bingham got into a physical fight with a 24-year-old Fremont woman he knew while they were both at Wal-Mart.

Bingham allegedly hit the woman, and then forcibly took her purse and cellular phone. The suspect later dropped the purse and fled

Later, officers located Bingham in a hotel in the city of Santa Clara, still in possession of the victim's cellular phone. After a review of the case, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office ultimately charged Bingham with robbery and theft with priors.

Duo suspected in two robberies on same night

On April 27 at about 9:45 p.m., two men entered the 7-Eleven at 1838 Milmont Drive, pulled a silver-colored semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from the clerk.

The clerk, a 45-year-old Milpitas man, complied as the suspects took $70 cash and two packs of cigarettes before fleeing, police said.

The suspects were described as African-American males, 20 years old, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, wearing all dark clothing.

About 10 minutes later, suspects matching the same description as the 7-Eleven robbers appeared at Denny's Restaurant at 200 Serra Way, police said.

Witnesses at Denny's told officers the two robbers pulled a silver or chrome-colored revolver, and demanded money from the restaurant's cash register. One robber reached into the register, and grabbed $161 before fleeing the scene.

The suspects fled in a green or light green mid-1990s four-door Honda.

Suspected gang members assault four at mall

On April 25 at about 8:30 p.m., Milpitas police responded to a fight in the parking lot outside the Kohl's store at GreatMall.

Police said six teens from San Jose, 14 to 18 years old, confronted four teens from San Jose and Milpitas. The groups fought, and the four victims were beaten.

Police said one victim, a 15-year-old San Jose boy, was beaten and lost consciousness in the parking lot outside Kohl's. He was transported to a local hospital where a head laceration had to be stapled.

Police said other victims suffered cuts, bruises and swelling to their heads and backs. Arriving officers detained the six San Jose teens at a nearby bus stop. Officers arrested all six on assault-related charges.

Police said 18-year-old San Jose residents Jared Castillo, Victor Naisina Jr. and Camero Ryans were arrested on charges of assault and battery, and assault with a deadly weapon. The three others were arrested as minors.

Three teens caught after robbing man

On April 25 at about 1:40 p.m., Milpitas police responded to a robbery on the 1700 block of View Drive.

Three teens approached a 20-year-old Milpitas man walking on the street, brandished what appeared to be a replica handgun and demanded the man's money, baseball hat and shoes.

The victim gave the teens $120 cash, his $170 Nike shoes and hat before the suspects fled in a green four-door 2000 Honda, police said.

Later that day, investigating officers tracked down the three juvenile suspects from Milpitas; two attended Calaveras Hills High School, while one attended Milpitas High School, police said.

Officers arrested the two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old on charges of robbery, police said.