THOUSAND OAKS : 5 Are Arrested in Knifepoint Robbery

A chef at a Thousand Oaks Boulevard restaurant was robbed at knifepoint late Tuesday night as he left work.

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies arrested five people in connection with the crime minutes later after they were spotted driving northbound on California 23. They are Alex Montoya, 27 of Simi Valley; Christopher Teasley, 18, of Sepulveda; and three juvenile suspects from Simi Valley: a 17-year-old male; and 16-year-old and 13-year-old females, sheriff’s deputies said.

Juan Rojas of Oxnard was walking to his car from Roxy’s Restaurant shortly before midnight when the two girls approached him and asked for change, deputies said. When Rojas tried to get money from his car, four suspects pushed him to the ground, deputies said.

One of the men put a knife to Rojas’ throat and demanded his money, deputies said. Rojas was uninjured, but the suspects fled with about $100, authorities said.

Rojas called 911 and described the getaway car, which deputies said they spotted moments later.

The adults are in Ventura County Jail pending $50,000 bail. The youths were taken to Juvenile Hall. They are all expected to be charged with armed robbery, deputies said.

Authorities said the five suspects may be involved in a number of similar robberies in Los Angeles County.