Two San Jose men went on a robbing spree until detectives finally caught up to them.
According to the San Jose Police Department, Brian Valverde, 22, carried out at least five armed robberies in December and January.
SJPD spokeswoman Stacie Shih said, “After a thorough investigation, including the use of automated license plate reader cameras, suspect Valverde was subsequently identified as the responsible party for a string of robberies that spanned from the City of San Jose to the City of Santa Clara.”
Five robberies connected to Valverde:
December 27: A victim called the police and said a robber rear-ended her var, stole her property, and threatened to shoot her if she followed him. Valverde was the prime suspect.
January 5: A purse snatch robbery occurred in the parking lot of Bay 101 Casino in San Jose.
January 22: An armed robbery occurred in the 3000 block of Stevens Creek Boulevard in Santa Clara.
January 23: An assault with a deadly weapon occurred at Matrix Casino in San Jose. The victim was walking to the casino when Valverde approached her with a knife.
January 28: The robbery occurred in the area of Monterey Road and Senter Road in San Jose. Valverde intentionally rear-ended the victim’s vehicle and stole her property.
Valverde was arrested in San Jose on January 30 and Robbery Unit detectives found evidence of narcotics sales in his home.
According to inmate records, Valverde is behind bars in a Santa Clara County jail with no bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 22.
The second suspected serial robber is Diego Mendoza Ramirez, 20. He’s the prime suspect in four robberies and attempted robberies in January.
The victims were bank customers who used ATM machines.
“The suspect used a semi-automatic pistol, often pistol whipping his victims, to demand money from them while they were using automated teller machines. The suspect used at least two stolen vehicles as get-away cars during the commission of his crimes,” Officer Steve Aponte said.
SJPD Robbery Unit detectives recognized a pattern in the robberies and began a comprehensive investigation.
On February 2, SJPD’s Covert Response Unit arrested Mendoza-Ramirez while he was driving a stolen vehicle in San Jose. According to Aponte, at the time of his arrest, he was in possession of property that connected him to the robberies.
When police searched Mendoza-Ramirez’s home, evidence of narcotic sales was found.
He was booked at Santa Clara County Main Jail with 12 felony charges and no bail. His next court appearance is slated for March 3.
