OXNARD : Man Shot 4 Times After He Is Robbed

A band of robbers shot a man four times in Oxnard early Thursday as he tried to escape them, police said.

Michael Hunter, 27, of Oxnard was listed in fair condition at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Mario Banuelos, 18, Augustine Lopez, 18, and Ronald Apodoca, 24, all of Oxnard, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and attempted murder, Oxnard Police Sgt. Frank Devorick said.

Three robbers apparently confronted two men walking together in the 1600 block of Oxnard Boulevard about 1:30 a.m., threatened them with a gun and took their jewelry, Sgt. Jeff Young said.

Immediately afterward, the robbers approached Hunter, who was in his vehicle in an alley, Young said.

The robbers jumped in Hunter’s car, Young said, and Hunter, fearing for his life, either inadvertently or deliberately crashed into another car. He then fled his car, Young said.

One of the robbers drew a weapon and fired 10 rounds, striking Hunter four times, Young said. Hunter collapsed in a parking lot. The robbers then got in their own vehicle and fled.

Officer Billy Tatum, who was responding to the shooting, saw the robbers’ car speeding away, police said. He followed it until the car stopped at Channel Islands Boulevard and Saviers Road, police said. The men in the car, who matched the description of the men involved in the shooting, were arrested.