Santa Cruz police arrest four in March 29 robbery

Four Sacramento residents are being held in Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, Santa Cruz police said.

Deputy Chief Steve Clark said the four suspects are accused of robbing a man on West Cliff Drive Saturday afternoon.

The suspects apparently approached the man when he was in a parking lot downtown and asked him for directions. The victim told police he believes the suspects followed him to West Cliff Drive and Sunset Avenue, where he parked his car. He was approached by two of the suspects, who began to attack him.

They punched him several times and pulled gold chains from the victim’s neck, Clark said. The victim fought back and chased his attackers to a getaway car, where he recognized the other passengers from his earlier contact downtown. The car was being driven by 22-year-old Yahir Chavez, Clark said.

A be-on-the-lookout was broadcast to local law enforcement and California Highway Patrol officers spotted the suspect vehicle traveling on southbound Highway 1. After a short pursuit, the driver pulled over at a rest area. The suspects were turned over to Santa Cruz police officers and the car was impounded.

Chavez was arrested along with 21-year-old Shane Montue, 23-year-old Lenel Randolph and 22-year-old Alphonse Ramirez.

Randolph and Montue were both on parole and now face an additional charge of violating parole. Ramirez initially gave police his brother’s identity; he’s now charged with false impersonation.

The victim sustained minor to moderate injuries, Clark said.

To see mugshots of all four suspects, click here.