Man Lured into Santa Rosa Robbery After Meeting Girl Online

An 18-year-old boy was lured into a robbery by a 17-year-old girl he met through a social networking website, Santa Rosa police said.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the Dec. 22 robbery, in which the victim was struck in the head with a handgun and robbed at gunpoint by two men on the 900 block of Keegan Dr. shortly before 2 p.m., according to Sgt. Rainer Navarro.

The victim had been standing outside his home with a female acquaintance when the two suspects approached, brandishing a handgun. When the victim attempted to flee he was knocked down and then struck on the back of the head.

He was then forced into his home at gunpoint and verbally threatened while the suspects searched his home. After 10 or 15 minutes, they fled with his wallet, cellphone and jewelry.

The girl also fled the scene before police arrived.

While the attack was initially investigated as a potentially gang-related incident, Navarro said it now appears that the robbery was motivated by a prior conflict between the victim and one of the suspects.

A 17-year-old girl had befriended the victim on a social networking website and arranged the meeting at the victim's house, he said.

Police arrested David Mendoza, a 19-year-old Santa Rosa resident, on Jan. 18, and located stolen property at the home of an associate, William Luevano-Vigil. Jose Morales, 26, was arrested on Jan. 24, according to police.

Mendoza and Morales are facing charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, while Luevano-Vigil, 19, is facing charges of acting as an accessory, and with possession of stolen property and violation of probation.

Bay City News

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