Two Ceres teenagers were arrested Wednesday evening after they allegedly attacked a senior citizen as he was withdrawing money from the ATM at the downtown Ceres Wells Fargo Bank.

Several people in the Fourth Street parking lot witnessed the 5:30 p.m. robbery, called 911 and followed the suspects. Officers quickly found Kiana Nesmith, 18, of Ceres, and a 16-year-old boy whose identity could not be released because of a state law.

Nesmith was charged with robbery, conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The 16-year-old boy was charged with robbery, conspiracy and elder abuse.
Sgt. Greg Yotsuya said the 60-year-old victim was withdrawing cash from the ATM when Nesmith approached the neighboring ATM and pretended to be using the machine. As the victim retrieved the cash, Nesmith reached over and grabbed it. When a struggle ensued, the boy grabbed the victim around the neck with both hands and began to squeeze. As the victim let go of his cash he was pushed to the ground by the 16-year-old pushed. The two assailants then fled on foot.

The witnesses were able to direct officers to the suspects who were in the 2700 block of Fourth Street not far from the bank. They were arrested without incident and found with the stolen cash, said Sgt. Yotsuya.

The victim suffered minor facial injuries.