2 Highwayman Use Ruse to Stop Driver, Grab Loot
It was literally highway robbery Wednesday for a Simi Valley man.
Police said Ricardo Mendes, 49, was driving east on the Simi Valley Freeway just west of Stearns Street in Simi Valley when two men flagged him down and robbed him of $3,500 and a $500 ring.
Simi Valley police Sgt. Robert Gardner said Mendes told police that the two, in a light green van, signaled to him that he had a flat tire at about 11 a.m., then robbed him when he got out of his car.
Gardner said the two bandits apparently followed Mendes earlier that day after he withdrew money for a car purchase.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
