Released: August 30, 2012 - Thursday, 05:07 PM
Armed Robbery Update
Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: (805) 781-4547Date and time of incident: 8-17-12Place of Occurrence: Oceano Market, 1711 Front Street, Oceano Victim Information: N/ASuspect Information: Matthew Lee Lawrence, 30 Grover Beach
Michael LynnAnthony Hardisty, 21, Arroyo GrandeRecently, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Gang Task Force (GTF) received information that the firearms that were used in the armed robbery of the Oceano Market on 8-17-12 were hidden in a house in the 200 block of Whiteley Street in Arroyo Grande. Based on that tip, investigators conducted a probation search that led to the discovery of methamphetamine, a pipe bomb and two handguns. The individuals living at that house are not implicated in the Oceano Market robbery. However, further investigation led to two suspects in the robbery case, 30-year-old Matthew Lee Lawrence of Grover Beach and 21-year-old Michael LynnAnthony Hardisty of Arroyo Grande Shortly after the probation search at the house on Whiteley, investigators located Hardisty at a local motel in Pismo Beach where he was arrested on drug related charges. Lawrence was already in custody for charges unrelated to the robbery. As the Gang Task Force continued to investigate the robbery, it developed sufficient evidence to charge both Lawrence and Hardisty with the armed robbery of the Oceano Market. They were arrested and charged with armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and assault with a deadly weapon. Both suspects are also being charged with an earlier home invasion robbery that occurred in Oceano on August 7. An ongoing investigation is continuing to determine if the suspects have criminal street gang ties. Booking photo release authorized. 
