OCEANO, Calif. - A pipe bomb investigation in Arroyo Grande helped authorities find two suspects from the armed robbery at Oceano Market.
Initially, authorities were actually searching for the firearms used in the robbery a few weeks ago -- which is when they stumbled upon the pipe bomb at a home on the 200 block of Whitely Street. 33-year-old Danielle Grimes and 39-year-old Michael Friant were arrested for possessing meth, and may face charges for possessing the pipe bomb. Officials say the pipe bomb suspects are not related to the Oceano robbery, but solving that case led them to tracking down the robbery suspects.
Authorities arrested 21-year-old Michael Hardisty of Arroyo Grande and 30-year-old Matthew Lawrence of Grover Beach. They were charged with armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and assault with a deadly weapon. Both suspects are also being charged with a home invasion robbery in Oceano earlier this month. Authorities are investigating if they have any gang ties.
