Gonzales matched the description of the robber in the other incidents: a male Hispanic displaying a firearm, wearing dark clothing and riding away on a dark-colored, mountain-type bicycle.From late January to early February, a man who rode away on a bicycle also robbed Grower’s Market on Ojai Road and a herb and medicine shop on the 900 block of East Main Street. Also robbed by who police believe is Gonzales was an employee of Amici’s Italian restaurant, who was confronted by an armed man on a bicycle while he was taking trash to the dumpster behind the Harvard Boulevard eatery.In addition to robbery charges, Gonzales was also charged with one count of forgery for cashing several checks that were reported stolen to the SPPD months earlier.Gonzales was arrested without incident and has remained to Ventura County Jail awaiting court proceedings. His preliminary hearing was held May 24 and Gonzales was ordered to stand trial on the charges.
Bicycle Bandit has preliminary hearing on La Unica robbery
June 24, 2002
Santa Paula News
The so-called Bicycle Bandit, who garnered his nickname by riding away from area robberies on a mountain bike, appeared in court and is being held for trial for an armed robbery that occurred in February.
Jose Carlos Gonzales, aka Pepe Gonzales, a 36-year-old resident of Santa Paula, was arrested by SPPD officers on March 8 and charged with the Feb. 17th robbery of La Unica Bakery, located on Harvard Boulevard.
Gonzales rode a mountain bike to La Unica, entered the store and displayed a firearm at the clerk, robbing him of cash and food stamps.
Although he attempted to conceal his identity by wearing a scarf hiding part of his face, Gonzales was captured by the store’s security video camera and later recognized by SPPD officers investigating a series of store armed robberies where the suspect used a bicycle to escape.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe so-called Bicycle Bandit, who garnered his nickname by riding away from area robberies on a mountain bike, appeared in court and is being held for trial for an armed robbery that occurred in February.Jose Carlos Gonzales, aka Pepe Gonzales, a 36-year-old resident of Santa Paula, was arrested by SPPD officers on March 8 and charged with the Feb. 17th robbery of La Unica Bakery, located on Harvard Boulevard.Gonzales rode a mountain bike to La Unica, entered the store and displayed a firearm at the clerk, robbing him of cash and food stamps.Although he attempted to conceal his identity by wearing a scarf hiding part of his face, Gonzales was captured by the store’s security video camera and later recognized by SPPD officers investigating a series of store armed robberies where the suspect used a bicycle to escape.