Anaheim Police Arrest 7 in Home Robbery Attempt

Seven men posing as police officers were arrested Tuesday by Anaheim detectives after they attempted a home invasion robbery in San Bernardino, police said.

The men are suspected of committing a similar robbery in Anaheim recently, police said.

Anaheim police officials released only sketchy details Tuesday about the San Bernardino robbery attempt, the Anaheim robbery, or the arrests, saying the investigation is continuing and future arrests are possible. Four of the suspects are Anaheim residents.

Police Chief Randall Gaston said the men are suspects in an Anaheim home invasion robbery that occurred several weeks ago and that other suspects may be sought. But he declined to give further details or say whether there have been other robberies.

Lt. Vince Howard said the men were armed with handguns when they attempted the home invasion robbery in San Bernardino and were arrested afterward by Anaheim detectives, with the help of San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies. He refused to give further details of the robbery or the arrests.

Gaston and Howard said releasing information about the Anaheim robbery--either when it occurred or on Tuesday--would have endangered the investigation.

“We release information on a case-by-case basis,” Gaston said. “It’s not an easy decision.”

Meanwhile, San Bernardino County law enforcement officials said they had no knowledge of Tuesday’s robbery attempt or the arrests.

The suspects are being held in Anaheim City Jail in lieu of $50,000 each on charges of attempted robbery.

They were identified as Anaheim residents Faustino A. Romero, 36; Armando B. Sanchez, 21; Manuel F. Valenzuela, 33; and Jose M. Bernal, 24. Also arrested were Giovanni G. Zavalza, 21, of Los Angeles; Roman C. Aguilar, 23, of San Bernardino; and Felipe B. Garcia, 24, of Hemet.