NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—Several food-truck robbery and ATM burglary cases have been solved with recent arrests, Los Angeles police said Oct. 22.
A suspect in at least eight armed food-truck robberies in the San Fernando Valley was arrested Oct. 16 and is being held without bail, according to police.
Jesus Garcia-Sotelo, 22, of Los Angeles faces eight counts of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, and 10 counts of assault with a firearm.
Seven food trucks and one 7-Eleven store were robbed between Sept. 8 and Sept. 21, according to Capt. Warner Castillo, the North Hollywood station commanding officer.
“A firearm was used to threaten all of the victims,” Castillo said at a news conference.
Detectives from the North Hollywood station were able to identify the suspect and vehicles used in the robberies by collecting surveillance video and other evidence.
Evidence from all eight robberies was found during a search of Sotelo’s residence on Oct. 16 in the valley’s Mission area at the northern end of Sepulveda Boulevard, according to Castillo.
Detective Timothy Kirkpatrick said police found “unique items” at Sotelo’s home that were linked to the robberies, and identified two vehicles linked to the suspect.
Sotelo was arrested after the search. He has a history of robbery, weapons violations, and other crimes, Kirkpatrick said.
The food-truck victims lost up to $200 each, amounts that represented their entire profit for the night, Castillo said. Detectives encouraged anyone who might have been a victim of a food-truck robbery in the San Fernando Valley to report the crime to Los Angeles police.
Jesus Garcia-Sotelo of Los Angeles was arrested on suspicion of robbing food trucks throughout San Fernando Valley, police announced Oct. 22. (Jill McLaughlin/The Epoch Times)
“Due to how spread out these crimes were, detectives believe there may be additional victims across the San Fernando Valley that have not come forward,” the department wrote in a press release on Oct. 22.
ATM Burglary Suspects Caught
In another case, Los Angeles police arrested four suspects in connection with eight ATM burglaries in the Mission Area, one ATM burglary in the West Valley area, two robberies, and a carjacking that occurred between Aug. 16 and Oct. 16.The suspects are accused of targeting small shops, according LAPD Cmdr. John Shah.
“Since August, small businesses throughout the San Fernando Valley have been ruthlessly targeted in a wave of 18 burglaries,” Shah said Tuesday. “These criminals operated with alarming boldness, smashing their way into mom-and-pop businesses, stealing ATMs, and leaving behind thousands of dollars in damage to their victims.”
LAPD Cmdr. John Shah announces on Oct. 22 the arrest of four suspects in connection with ATM burglaries in the San Fernando Valley. (Jill McLaughlin/The Epoch Times)
Police say the suspects would forcibly enter a shop and place a chain around the ATM machine, then use a vehicle to pull it out. They would then load the machine into the vehicle and flee, often causing extensive damage to the shop, Shah said.
On Oct. 16, detectives searched homes in the Sylmar and Canyon Country areas, recovering U.S. currency and three vehicles allegedly connected to the thefts, resulting in the arrest of four suspects.
Anthony Cacho, 22, of Los Angeles was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary. On Oct. 18, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of possession of an unregistered assault weapon against Cacho.
Stephany Gonzalez-Jimenez, 24, of Los Angeles was charged with one count of commercial burglary.
Luis Angel Rodriguez-Arroyo, 40, of Santa Clarita was charged with one count of carjacking and five counts of commercial burglary, and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Richard Nevarez, 24, of Los Angeles was arrested on suspicion of robbery. His case is pending review by the district attorney’s office, according to police.
