SIMI VALLEY : 2 Held in Robbery, Shooting of Man

A Simi Valley man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of shooting and robbing his female companion’s husband before leaving him for dead in a canyon, Simi Valley police said.

Police said they also arrested the victim’s estranged wife on suspicion of robbery and of being an accessory in the slaying attempt.

The victim, Ruben Gallegos, was taken to Simi Valley Hospital early Tuesday with a single gunshot wound to the face, police said. A hospital spokeswoman Tuesday afternoon said Gallegos, 43, was in serious but stable condition.

Andrew Miller, 28, and Marie Gallegos, 27, were being held at the Simi Valley police station, Detective Bob Klamser said. They were to be taken to the Ventura County Jail.

Officers found Ruben Gallegos about 12:15 a.m. in the 2900 block of Topo Canyon Road. Police said he was semiconscious. He later told police that he had been shot outside the Moose Lodge on Alamo Street near Stearns Street, where he and Miller had been drinking early Monday evening.

After the shooting, police said, Miller and Marie Gallegos put Ruben Gallegos into the van, took his wallet and jewelry, and left him near where he was found, apparently believing that he was dead.

The two suspects were arrested after police saw them about 1 a.m. driving a van away from Marie Gallegos’ residence in the 2300 block of Rebecca Street. Police said the Gallegoses were no longer living together, but they would not provide details of Marie Gallegos’ relationship with Miller.