SANTA PAULA : 5 Arrested in Beating and Robbery of Man

Santa Paula police officers arrested five men early Saturday on suspicion of robbing a man at knifepoint and beating him, authorities said.

Jorge Ibarra Barrios, 18, Manlio Canuto Escamilla, 18, Jose Montelongo, 20, Daniel Rivera Juarez, 19, and an unidentified 17-year-old were arrested for armed robbery. The victim, a 31-year-old Santa Paula man whose name was not released, identified all five as his assailants, authorities said.

Responding to a disturbance call at 11:45 p.m. Friday near 14th and Orchard streets, Santa Paula police Officer Karl Dyer said he saw a group of men running through the carport of an apartment complex. At the carport, Dyer said, he encountered the victim.

The man reported that he had just been robbed and beaten, Dyer said. The victim said the assailants, some of whom brandished knives, stole three car speakers and other articles from his vehicle and slashed his tires.

Although the victim was not stabbed, he received minor injuries to his wrists and body during the beating, police said. “He was quite upset, but medical assistance was not required,” Dyer said.

One suspect was apprehended immediately near the crime scene, Dyer said. Three others were found later, hiding behind a nearby apartment complex and a fifth suspect was found hiding alone, authorities said.