Pair Arrested, Accused Of Robbing More Than A Dozen Street Vendors

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – Two men who allegedly robbed more than a dozen street vendors in San Jose between July and last week have been arrested, police said Friday.

The suspects, 24-year-old Michaelangelo Cortez Lopez and 19-year-old Richard Cortez Lopez, both of San Jose, are suspects in at least 13 armed robberies between July 30 and Sept. 16, police said.

Many victims told officers they were beaten and pistol-whipped by the suspects who stole their money, phones and food, according to police.

Detectives investigated the robberies by interviewing victims and witnesses, collecting evidence and conducting surveillance operations, police said.

They also spoke with street vendors to warn them about the series of robberies, according to police.

The investigation led to the arrests of the men at their East San Jose home on Wednesday, police said.

Detectives believe there may be unreported robberies and other victims who haven't come forward, according to police.

Both suspects are in custody on $300,000 bail each, according to online Santa Clara County jail records.

"These suspects viciously targeted a segment of our society that needed our help the most," police Sgt. Jaime Jimenez said in a statement.

"Immigrant groups already face numerous challenges and this criminal victimization does nothing to help their integration into the social embroidery of our City," Jimenez said.

Anyone with information on the robberies or similar incidents is asked to call police detectives Enrique Hernandez or Juan Hernandez at (408) 277-4166. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867.

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--Bay City News/Photos via SJPD: From left, Michaelangelo Cortez Lopez, Richard Cortez Lopez