Three People Arrested After Elderly Man is Scammed Out of $25,000 in Fontana
Three Arrested in Armed Robbery of Elderly Man in Fontana
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with a brazen armed robbery involving an elderly man in Fontana, California. The Fontana Police Department reported that the suspects are believed to be part of a larger criminal organization linked to Colombia.
The latest incident occurred on March 11 when a 79-year-old man was approached by three assailants outside an El Super grocery store. Police indicated that the suspects threatened the man with harm to his daughter if he did not comply with their demands.
“It’s very frustrating. It angers me that someone did this to my father,” lamented the victim’s son, who wished to remain anonymous for the safety of his family.
According to investigators, the suspects claimed to be armed and coerced the elderly man into driving to a nearby Wells Fargo bank on Summit Avenue. There, he withdrew $25,000 and handed it over to the attackers.
The elderly man reported the incident to authorities later that evening, prompting a swift investigation. Police traced the suspects to Glendora, where they were apprehended on Tuesday. Authorities also believe the suspects may be implicated in additional burglaries and robberies in the area.
Those arrested include 52-year-old Reinaldo Estrella, his 29-year-old son Jonathan Estrella, and 23-year-old Kevin Bernal, all Colombian nationals facing charges of robbery, kidnapping, and elder abuse.
“There’s a very good possibility that the people we arrested are just a small portion of this bigger crew that has been victimizing people in Southern California,” noted Daniel Romero of the Fontana Police Department.
The department suspects there may be additional victims and accomplices connected to this crime ring and encourages the community to report any relevant information to local law enforcement.
