VAN NUYS : 4 Accused of Crimes in Parks Deny Guilt

Four men charged in connection with a series of rapes and robberies in West San Fernando Valley parks pleaded not guilty to various charges Monday in Van Nuys Municipal Court.

The alleged ringleader of the group, Hector Martinez Rocha, 20, was charged June 22 with 26 felony counts, including three counts of rape, nine counts of false imprisonment and 12 counts of robbery. He allegedly committed crimes in four attacks, acting by himself in one incident.

Prosecutors have also charged three other men known to frequent the Canoga Park area--Jose Guadalupe Chavez, 20; Jose Rivas Torres, 28; and Francisco Chavez Ramirez, 30--with various counts related to three incidents where two girls and a woman were raped and 10 people were robbed.

The four are being held in County Jail in lieu of bails ranging from $250,000 to $750,000.

A preliminary hearing will be set July 14, the next court appearance for the men.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Carol Fisch said most of the victims in the case--some of whom were tied up with their own shoelaces and belts--have identified their assailants in photographic lineups.

Rocha led the others in a series of attacks which began May 28 and frightened residents of the West Valley, who were warned to avoid the parks at night, authorities said. Police caution residents that neighborhood parks can still be dangerous after dark.