SIMI VALLEY : Couple Arrested in 22 Armed Robberies
A Simi Valley couple nicknamed “Ma and Pa Kettle” for their rustic appearance have been arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with 22 armed robberies during the past two months, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said Monday.
John Abel, 47, is scheduled to be arraigned today in Los Angeles Municipal Court after being held on $125,000 bail, authorities said.
He and his wife, Victoria, 42, were arrested at noon Saturday in Simi Valley.
Victoria Abel was released that day on $25,000 bail, and her court date has not yet been set.
The Abels were arrested after a two-week investigation, authorities said.
The couple, booked at the Los Angeles County Lomita sheriff’s station, are accused of committing armed robberies at various businesses in Los Angeles and Orange counties, authorities said.
Victoria Abel would act as a customer, while John Abel, wielding an Uzi submachine gun, would rob the establishment’s cash register--and sometimes patrons--after telling customers to lie on the floor, authorities said.
Authorities said they recovered a submachine gun and a .22-caliber pistol from the Abels’ car. They had no other details on the couple’s appearance.
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