DATE/TIME: December 9, 2019 / December 16, 2019
INCIDENT: PC211 – Armed Robberies
LOCATION(S): 7257 Sterling Avenue, Highland
Yucaipa business
SUSPECT(S): Suspect #1 - Peter Arthur Lopez, 29-year-old resident of San Bernardino - documented gang member
Suspect #2 - Vanessa Lisette Gutierrez, 25-year-old transient of San Bernardino - documented gang member
Suspect #3 - Gregory Mosqueda Lopez, 36-year-old transient of San Bernardino - documented gang member
Suspect #4 – Unidentified
Suspect #5 - Juana Elizabeth Sevilla, 38-year-old resident of San Bernardino - outstanding
Suspect #6 - Richard Espinoza, 30-year-old resident of San Bernardino
SUMMARY:
Since December, 2019, members of the Highland Police Station Detective/MET Bureau have been investigating a series of armed robberies in the cities of Highland and Yucaipa, involving at least six different suspects.
On Monday, December 9, 2019, at about 4:04 p.m., deputies from the Highland Police Department were dispatched to the 7200 block of Sterling Avenue, in reference to an armed robbery that just occurred at the business. Four suspects arrived at the location in the same vehicle. Peter Lopez and Vanessa Gutierrez entered the business and looked around before leaving. A short time later, Peter and Gregory Lopez entered the business and robbed the employee at gun point of cash. Peter, Gregory and Vanessa fled the location in the awaiting vehicle, driven by the unidentified suspect #4.
On Monday, December 16, 2019 at about 3:21 p.m. deputies from the Highland Police Department were dispatched to the same location in reference to another armed robbery that just occurred at the business. Four suspects arrived at the location in a silver Cadillac, driven by Juana Sevilla. Sevilla entered the store and looked around before leaving. While Sevilla was inside the store, Vanessa Gutierrez entered the driver’s seat of the vehicle and parked it nearby. Once Sevilla exited the store, she got back into the driver’s seat and positioned the vehicle near the business. Richard Espinoza exited the vehicle, entered the business with a handgun and pointed it at the employee. While Espinoza held the employee at gunpoint, Peter Lopez entered the business and helped Espinoza rob the employee of cash and a cellular phone. Peter Lopez , Espinoza, and Gutierrez fled the location in the awaiting Cadillac, driven by Sevilla.
During the investigation, investigators discovered that Peter Lopez was also involved in an armed robbery of a business in the city of Yucaipa on December 10, 2019.
On Friday, December 20, 2019, Peter Lopez was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center for his involvement in the crime spree by members of the San Bernardino County Gang Intelligence Team and he was found in possession of a loaded firearm. He was also arrested for PC 1203.2, probation violation.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, Gregory Lopez was arrested for his involvement in the crime spree and later released. On Saturday, January 25, 2020, Gregory Lopez was rearrested by a Central Station deputy and booked into the Central Detention Center after he was found in possession of a loaded firearm and suspected narcotics during a traffic stop.
On Tuesday, January 18, 2020, Vanessa Gutierrez was arrested by members of the San Bernardino County Probation Department and booked into the Central Detention Center for her involvement in the crime spree. She was also arrested for PC 1203.2, probation violation.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Richard Espinoza was already in custody at the West Valley Detention Center. He was arrested on January 21, 2020 by members of the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force after a pursuit in a stolen vehicle and the firearm used during the commission of the robbery was discarded from the vehicle.
Juana Elizabeth Sevilla is still outstanding and her whereabouts is unknown. Peter, Gregory, Gutierrez, and Espinoza are all still in custody pending court proceedings. Suspect #4 has not been identified.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact detectives the Highland Police Station at (909) 425-9793. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective S. Kessler
Station: Highland
Phone No. (909) 425-9793
Case No. 131904942/131905018
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
