SJPD: Serial armed street vendor robbers arrested
Suspect: Richard Cortez Lopez, 19 (left) and Suspect: Michaelangelo Cortez Lopez, 24 (right). (photo courtesy San Jose Police Department)
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - San Jose police say they arrested two suspects on Wednesday in connection to the armed robberies of street vendors over a three month period.
The investigation is ongoing, but the suspects, 24-year-old old Michaelangelo Cortez Lopez and 19-year-old Richard Cortez Lopez were taken into custody at their residence in East San Jose.
Their alleged 13 armed robberies targeted victims in East San Jose and occurred between July 30 and September 16.
Several of the victims were beaten and pistol whipped during the incidents according to police. Items stolen from the vendors included money, phones and food.
Sergeant Jaime Jiménez of the Robbery Unit believed “these suspects viciously targeted a segment of our society that needed our help the most. Immigrant groups already face numerous challenges and this criminal victimization does nothing to help their integration into the social embroidery of our City.”
SJPD detectives say additional crimes may have gone reported and are asking additional information to help identify other potential victims.
Please forward any information to Detective Enrique Hernandez #3690 or Detective Juan Hernandez #3898 at the San Jose Police Department’s Robbery Unit at (408)277-4166.
Persons wishing to remain anonymous may either call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, (408) 947-STOP (7867), or click the "Submit a Tip" link below. Persons providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a CASH REWARD from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.