3 Arrested in Robberies Near Disneyland

Police announced Thursday that they have arrested three men who allegedly preyed on tourists in the Disneyland area, robbing them at gunpoint in their motel rooms and raping at least one young woman.

As many as 19 times in the last six weeks the three men entered unlocked rooms at the many inns surrounding Disneyland to steal thousands of dollars, video equipment, jewelry and even a Disneyland cap and other tourist memorabilia, police alleged.

Sometimes, motel managers said in interviews, the suspects posed as guests at poolside before striking. Other times, they allegedly followed tourists home from Disneyland. In each case, police said, the men entered guests’ rooms after nightfall and terrorized the occupants with guns and knives for up to half an hour.

Police allege the robberies turned violent when one suspect raped an 18-year-old woman in her motel room as her friends were bound with rope, then tried to rape her 14-year-old sister before fleeing.

Arrested Wednesday in the crimes were John Richard Broussard, 20, and Charles Matthew Henry, 21, both of Anaheim, and Eric Vestal Hall, 24, of Los Angeles. They are each being held in the Anaheim City Detention Facility on $50,000 bond on suspicion of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and other charges, authorities said.