Six Suspects Arrested In Connection With Violent February Robbery

Six suspects are in custody after the violent robbery and torture that left a 59-year-old Gilroy man with life-threatening injuries in February, according to a press release from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

The office served warrants in five Bay Area locations on Tuesday, arresting the six men, including one juvenile, in connection with the Feb. 6 incident on the 1000 block of Rucker Avenue, sheriffs said.

One of the suspects, 62-year-old Juvenal Reyes, is a Gilroy resident, sheriffs said. He is held on a $500,000 bail on charges including attempted murder, conspiracy and torture.

Three suspects reportedly ambushed the victim when he arrived home around 9 p.m., sheriffs said. 

“The suspects then tied the victim up, tortured the victim by repeatedly striking him with pool queues and wooden sticks and pouring chemical substances over his face and body in an attempt to gain the combination to the victim’s safe,” according to the report.

The victim lost consciousness due to the assault’s intensity, sheriffs said, while the suspects reportedly stole his personal collection of guns, stamps, coins and other memorabilia.

Officers said that the suspects then fled in the victim’s truck, which was found engulfed in flames a short time later near Saratoga.

The victim was able to untie himself and reach a neighbor’s house for help. He underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries, according to the release.

Information on the juvenile suspect was not released, but the other four suspects received the following charges:

• Ernesto Gonzalez, 25, of San Jose, No Bail: same charges as Reyes
• Juan Fonseca, 21, of unknown address, $500,000 bail: same charges as Reyes
• Norberto Serna, 41, of unknown address, No Bail: same charges as Reyes
• Danny Rivera, 22, of San Jose, $150,000: Possession of stolen property

The sheriff’s office asks for anyone with information on the case or the whereabouts of the stolen property to contact Detective Sgt. Julian Quinonez or Sgt. Ryan Elder at 408-808-4500.  During non-business hours, call 408-808-4400, and anonymous tippers can call 408-808-4431.