3 Arrested in Restaurant Robbery

Three Simi Valley residents were arrested Friday after police got a tip that a Denny’s restaurant was about to be robbed and caught the trio in a traffic jam after the heist, officials said.

Phillip Kelling, 26, Ricardo Bedolla, 21, and Ginger Gillette, 30, were arrested on charges of armed robbery about 4:45 p.m. as they tried to flee the Denny’s restaurant at 590 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley police said.

All three were booked into Ventura County Jail late Friday, officials said.

Authorities received information earlier in the day that a heist would occur at one of the two Denny’s restaurants in the city. Surveillance teams watched both restaurants throughout the day and were on hand when restaurant manager Allan ElAntaki was approached by Kelling and Bedolla as he left with the day’s receipts, authorities said.

Kelling pointed what appeared to be an automatic pistol at ElAntaki while Bedolla took the deposit bag containing $805 from him, police said. Both then fled to a waiting vehicle being driven by Gillette, authorities said.

The trio become stuck in traffic on Madera Road and Strathearn Place, and as they tried to maneuver, police rammed their vehicle from behind, officials said. All three suspects were taken into custody without further incident, police said.

The cash and a BB gun were recovered.