4 Accused In Gang-Related Robbery At Knifepoint: Sonoma Sheriff

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County sheriff's deputies arrested three Santa Rosa men late Wednesday night on suspicion of robbing a man at knifepoint in Southwest Santa Rosa. The male victim told the deputies that he was robbed around 10:15 p.m. on Moorland Avenue and West Robles Avenue, the sheriff's office said.

The victim said four suspects, one armed with a knife, got out of a car, took his backpack, cellphone and other belongings.

A deputy found the car 20 minutes later in the parking lot of a gas station on McMinn Avenue near Sebastopol Road and called for a Santa Rosa police officer. There were three adults and a juvenile in the vehicle, the sheriff's office said.

Juan Jose Bernabe-Vega, 20, Daniel Avalos-Arreguin, 18, and Christian Hernandez Gonzales, 18, all of Santa Rosa, were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and conspiracy and booked in the Sonoma County Jail. The juvenile was released to his parents.

Bernabe-Vega and Hernandez Gonzalez are known gang members, and the robbery of a random victim is believed to be gang-related, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies found the victim's belongings, except his cellphone, in the suspects' vehicle, sheriff's officials said.

— Bay City News Service