Deputies: Scotts Valley robbery suspect shot in foot by co-conspirator

A Scotts Valley man was arrested for a home invasion robbery after being shot in the foot by one his own co-conspirators.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Dominican Hospital on Sept. 19 for a report of a man with a gunshot wound.

Erik Vlach, 24, initially claimed was shot by an unknown assailant, but later admitted he’d be shot accidentally by a friend, 19-year-old Jeremy Spencer of Capitola, according to Sgt. Kelly Kent.

Deputies connected Spencer and Vlach to a home invasion robbery that occurred on the 1500 block of 30th Avenue near the time of the shooting.

Kent said two men armed with semi-automatic handguns and wearing black T-shirts over their faces entered the victim’s residence and stole cash, marijuana, electronics and a rifle, and then fled on foot.

Spencer and Vlach were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and a felon in possession of a firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm. They were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail.

Stolen property from the robbery was found at a home just a few houses away.

There, deputies arrested Brandon Husted, 19, on suspicion of stolen property, conspiracy and violating probation. He was booked into County Jail.

A fourth man, 19-year-old Esteban Sanchez of Live Oak, was arrested for possession of stolen property and released at the scene.