San Jose police detained four individuals they believe were involved in a series of strong-armed, gang-related robberies last summer.
The SJPD Gang Investigations Unit has identified five suspects they believe are involved in at least five strong-armed robberies: Dominic Vaca, 19, of Gilroy; Timothy Zambrano, 22, of Gilroy; Matthew Flores, 18, of Gilroy; a 17-year-old juvenile male suspect from Gilroy; and Alexis Orozco, who police are still looking for.
Police believe the five accused are members of a Gilroy-based gang.
On July 24, about 8:24 p.m., police responded to a report of a strong-armed robbery in San Jose’s 2200 block of Eastridge Loop. Two individuals approached the juvenile victim, pushed him, and pulled off his gold necklace. According to police, the suspects made gang signs, shouted gang obscenities, and fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police believe the heist was part of a series of crimes conducted by the same suspects—some of the incidents involved suspects brandishing weapons such as pistols and knives. The accused initially targeted rival gang members before expanding to include other victims of opportunity in San Jose.
With the assistance of the Gilroy Police Department’s Anti-Crime Team and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, SJPD GIU Detectives acquired arrest warrants for the suspects and search warrants for their respective homes.
Police in San Jose and Gilroy issued warrants and arrested people in August, September, and October. Vaca, Flores, and Zambrano were placed in the Santa Clara County Main Jail, while the juvenile suspect was sent to the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall.
Anyone with information on these or similar instances, or about Orozco’s whereabouts, should contact Detective Peterson of the San Jose Police Department Gang Investigations Unit at [email protected] or (408) 277-3835.
Article Source: Suspected Gilroy gang members arrested in string of San Jose strong-arm robberies
