Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 10-18-13, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a robbery that had just occurred in the unincorporated area known as Saticoy. Two victims who worked for a marijuana delivery business reported being robbed at gunpoint when they arrived in the 1100 block of Aster to make a delivery.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit conducted an investigation into the robbery and discovered that another marijuana delivery business had been robbed in the same manner a short time later. The second robbery occurred in the City of Santa Barbara. Investigators also discovered that the cellular telephone used to order the marijuana deliveries had been taken during a third robbery. In all three robberies the suspect(s) used handguns.

Jelani Rivera, Daniel Sotelo, and Filiberto Loyola were identified as the three suspects that committed the robberies. Sotelo and Loyola are both documented members of a criminal street gang from Santa Barbara.

On 12-13-13, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives learned that one of the suspects, Jelani Rivera, had fled to a family member’s residence in the City of San Francisco. On 12-14-13, with assistance from the San Francisco Police Department, Rivera was taken into custody. He was transported back to Ventura County where he was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. The firearm used by Rivera was located at a Santa Barbara area gun store.

On 12-18-13, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit, with assistance from the Santa Barbara Police Department, located and arrested Daniel Sotelo at his residence in the City of Santa Barbara. Sotelo is currently on Parole for Battery with Serious Bodily Injury. Sotelo was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

On 12-21-13, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives were conducting surveillance in the 600 Block of Andy Lane in Goleta when they saw Filiberto Loyola leave his residence in a vehicle. Investigators followed Loyola to the City of Santa Barbara. With the assistance of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and Santa Barbara Police Department, Loyola was taken into custody on Anacapa Street south of Cota Street in the City of Santa Barbara. Loyola was found to be in possession of two handguns. During the arrest, Loyola struck one of the arresting deputies with his knee.

Rivera, Sotelo, and Loyola were all booked for Robbery, Conspiracy, Participation in a Criminal Street Gang, Criminal Threats, and assault with a firearm. Loyola was booked for the additional charge Resisting an Executive Officer.

Nature of Incident: Robbery Arrests
Report Number: 13-23398
Location: Community of Saticoy and City of Santa Barbara
Date & Time: 12-21-2013 at 1:30 PM
Prepared by: Sergeant Jeremy Paris #3545
Media Release Date: 12-22-13
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Francisco Jauregui #4427 (805) 677-8734
Approved by: Captain Luis Obregon

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).