Man in Custody for Armed Robbery of Two Spas

Authorities credited the quick arrest to the availability of video surveillance footage and the use of license plate reader technology. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (858) 868-3200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at sdcrimestoppers.org.

Colden was booked into the San Diego Central Jail, where his bail has been set at $600,000.

On Monday, January 26, just before 7:00 a.m., Poway deputies and detectives contacted Colden at a residence in Poway and took him into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and sexual battery.

License plate reader camera systems further confirmed that the green Dodge Challenger was in the area of both businesses at the time of the incidents. The suspect was identified as Thomas Colden (DOB: June 29, 2004).

Both businesses were able to provide video surveillance footage. In addition, a neighboring business supplied video showing the suspect’s vehicle—a green Dodge Challenger—leaving the area. A detective working that night immediately recognized the vehicle from a previous lewd-act investigation involving a suspect fitting the same description. After reviewing the surveillance footage, detectives made a positive identification.

A few minutes later, a second, similar crime was reported at Lavender Spa in the 12000 block of Poway Road. The victim at Lavender Spa provided a description matching that of the suspect involved in the Poway Spa robbery.

On Saturday, January 24, just after 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to Poway Spa in the 13000 block of Pomerado Road after receiving reports of an armed individual demanding money from a female employee. The suspect was described as a white adult man wearing a face mask. Authorities said he was armed with a knife, demanded money, and punched the employee in the face before fleeing the scene.

Police confirmed via X that a man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing two spa businesses in Poway, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

First responders are conducting routine operations in the area.

Incident reported at 12000 Block of Poway Rd.

Authorities credited the quick arrest to the availability of video surveillance footage and the use of license plate reader technology. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (858) 868-3200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at sdcrimestoppers.org.

Colden was booked into the San Diego Central Jail, where his bail has been set at $600,000.

On Monday, January 26, just before 7:00 a.m., Poway deputies and detectives contacted Colden at a residence in Poway and took him into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and sexual battery.

License plate reader camera systems further confirmed that the green Dodge Challenger was in the area of both businesses at the time of the incidents. The suspect was identified as Thomas Colden (DOB: June 29, 2004).

Both businesses were able to provide video surveillance footage. In addition, a neighboring business supplied video showing the suspect’s vehicle—a green Dodge Challenger—leaving the area. A detective working that night immediately recognized the vehicle from a previous lewd-act investigation involving a suspect fitting the same description. After reviewing the surveillance footage, detectives made a positive identification.

A few minutes later, a second, similar crime was reported at Lavender Spa in the 12000 block of Poway Road. The victim at Lavender Spa provided a description matching that of the suspect involved in the Poway Spa robbery.

On Saturday, January 24, just after 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to Poway Spa in the 13000 block of Pomerado Road after receiving reports of an armed individual demanding money from a female employee. The suspect was described as a white adult man wearing a face mask. Authorities said he was armed with a knife, demanded money, and punched the employee in the face before fleeing the scene.

Police confirmed via X that a man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing two spa businesses in Poway, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

First responders are conducting routine operations in the area.

Incident reported at 12000 Block of Poway Rd.

Authorities credited the quick arrest to the availability of video surveillance footage and the use of license plate reader technology. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (858) 868-3200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at sdcrimestoppers.org.

Colden was booked into the San Diego Central Jail, where his bail has been set at $600,000.

On Monday, January 26, just before 7:00 a.m., Poway deputies and detectives contacted Colden at a residence in Poway and took him into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and sexual battery.

License plate reader camera systems further confirmed that the green Dodge Challenger was in the area of both businesses at the time of the incidents. The suspect was identified as Thomas Colden (DOB: June 29, 2004).

Both businesses were able to provide video surveillance footage. In addition, a neighboring business supplied video showing the suspect’s vehicle—a green Dodge Challenger—leaving the area. A detective working that night immediately recognized the vehicle from a previous lewd-act investigation involving a suspect fitting the same description. After reviewing the surveillance footage, detectives made a positive identification.

A few minutes later, a second, similar crime was reported at Lavender Spa in the 12000 block of Poway Road. The victim at Lavender Spa provided a description matching that of the suspect involved in the Poway Spa robbery.

On Saturday, January 24, just after 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to Poway Spa in the 13000 block of Pomerado Road after receiving reports of an armed individual demanding money from a female employee. The suspect was described as a white adult man wearing a face mask. Authorities said he was armed with a knife, demanded money, and punched the employee in the face before fleeing the scene.

Police confirmed via X that a man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing two spa businesses in Poway, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

First responders are conducting routine operations in the area.

Incident reported at 12000 Block of Poway Rd.

Authorities credited the quick arrest to the availability of video surveillance footage and the use of license plate reader technology. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (858) 868-3200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at sdcrimestoppers.org.

Colden was booked into the San Diego Central Jail, where his bail has been set at $600,000.

On Monday, January 26, just before 7:00 a.m., Poway deputies and detectives contacted Colden at a residence in Poway and took him into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and sexual battery.

License plate reader camera systems further confirmed that the green Dodge Challenger was in the area of both businesses at the time of the incidents. The suspect was identified as Thomas Colden (DOB: June 29, 2004).

Both businesses were able to provide video surveillance footage. In addition, a neighboring business supplied video showing the suspect’s vehicle—a green Dodge Challenger—leaving the area. A detective working that night immediately recognized the vehicle from a previous lewd-act investigation involving a suspect fitting the same description. After reviewing the surveillance footage, detectives made a positive identification.

A few minutes later, a second, similar crime was reported at Lavender Spa in the 12000 block of Poway Road. The victim at Lavender Spa provided a description matching that of the suspect involved in the Poway Spa robbery.

On Saturday, January 24, just after 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to Poway Spa in the 13000 block of Pomerado Road after receiving reports of an armed individual demanding money from a female employee. The suspect was described as a white adult man wearing a face mask. Authorities said he was armed with a knife, demanded money, and punched the employee in the face before fleeing the scene.

Police confirmed via X that a man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing two spa businesses in Poway, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

First responders are conducting routine operations in the area.

Incident reported at 12000 Block of Poway Rd.

Authorities credited the quick arrest to the availability of video surveillance footage and the use of license plate reader technology. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (858) 868-3200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or at sdcrimestoppers.org.

Colden was booked into the San Diego Central Jail, where his bail has been set at $600,000.

On Monday, January 26, just before 7:00 a.m., Poway deputies and detectives contacted Colden at a residence in Poway and took him into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and sexual battery.

License plate reader camera systems further confirmed that the green Dodge Challenger was in the area of both businesses at the time of the incidents. The suspect was identified as Thomas Colden (DOB: June 29, 2004).

Both businesses were able to provide video surveillance footage. In addition, a neighboring business supplied video showing the suspect’s vehicle—a green Dodge Challenger—leaving the area. A detective working that night immediately recognized the vehicle from a previous lewd-act investigation involving a suspect fitting the same description. After reviewing the surveillance footage, detectives made a positive identification.

A few minutes later, a second, similar crime was reported at Lavender Spa in the 12000 block of Poway Road. The victim at Lavender Spa provided a description matching that of the suspect involved in the Poway Spa robbery.

On Saturday, January 24, just after 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to Poway Spa in the 13000 block of Pomerado Road after receiving reports of an armed individual demanding money from a female employee. The suspect was described as a white adult man wearing a face mask. Authorities said he was armed with a knife, demanded money, and punched the employee in the face before fleeing the scene.

Police confirmed via X that a man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing two spa businesses in Poway, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

First responders are conducting routine operations in the area.

Incident reported at 12000 Block of Poway Rd.