Armed Robbery in Capitola; Two Men With Guns Arrested in Soquel

Two suspected gang members were arrested early Saturday morning in Soquel after allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint a few hours earlier in Capitola.

William Galdamez, 19, of Capitola, and a 17-year-old suspect were arrested about 1:30 a.m. in the Taco Bell on 41^st Avenue after police recognized one of the men from a robbery reported about 10:20 p.m. Friday, according to police.

The younger man is not being named, because he is a juvenile.

“During the robbery, one of the males threatened the victim with a shotgun and then assaulted the victim and stole the property,” said Sgt. Mark Gonzales with Capitola Police Department. The robbery was reported on the 500 block of Bay Avenue, according to police reports.

The suspects allegedly took the victim’s jacket, cell phone, wallet and cash, Gonzales said.

When officers met with the victim, he said he knew the suspects and gave police a few leads, Gonzales said. Officers then began searching for the two men.

A few hours later, police officer Leo Moreno walked into Taco Bell and recognized one of the suspects eating there with another man, Gonzales said. Moreno went outside and called for law enforcement backup.

When Moreno returned and confronted the two men, one provided his real name and the other a false name, Gonzales said. Moreno handcuffed the suspect he recognized as involved in the robbery.

“As he was detaining him, he saw a jacket on a backpack,” Gonzales said. “He sees in open view there was a sawed-off shotgun in the bag.”

Moreno called for backup, and officer Jesus Mendoza went inside and grabbed the other man, Gonzales said. Mendoza pulled a sawed-off shotgun from that man’s waistline.

“It was loaded and down the front of (the suspect’s) pants,” Gonzales said.

Patrons saw the guns and fled the restaurant, Gonzales said, and the Taco Bell was closed while police and officers from the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office investigated.

The victim’s phone, wallet and other items were recovered, Gonzales said.

The suspects did not cooperate with police and were arrested for armed robbery, criminal threats, conspiracy and possession of illegal firearms with gang enhancements, Gonzales said.

“The suspects are in custody, the victim has his property back, and two more guns are off the street,” Gonzales said.