Three people were arrested after they held an elderly man at gunpoint and forced him to hand over thousands of dollars in Fontana, according to police.
The Fontana Police Department is warning the public about a sophisticated crime ring believed to be part of a group out of Colombia. According to the department, the group particularly targets elderly Hispanic people in Southern California and across the country.
Their latest victim was a 79-year-old man who was approached by three people at an El Super grocery store in Fontana on March 11. Police said the criminals threatened to harm the man’s daughter if he didn’t comply with their demands.
“It’s very frustrating. It angers me that someone did this to my father,” said the victim’s son, who asked not to be identified out of fear for his family’s safety.
The men told his father they were armed and forced him to drive to a Wells Fargo on Summit Avenue in Fontana. There, the victim withdrew $25,000 and gave it to the criminals.
The victim notified police later that evening. The investigation ultimately tracked the suspects to Glendora, where they were arrested on Tuesday. Police say they are also linked to other burglaries and robberies in the area.
Police arrested 52-year-old Reinaldo Estrella and his son, 29-year-old Jonathan Estrella, along with an acquaintance: 23-year-old Kevin Bernal. All three men, who are Colombian nationals, were booked for robbery, kidnapping and elder abuse.
“There’s a very good possibility that the people we arrested is a small portion of this bigger crew that has been victimizing people in Southern California,” said Daniel Romero of the Fontana Police Department.
Fontana police believe there are more victims and possibly more suspects involved in this criminal ring. Officers are encouraging people to contact their local police department if they know anything.