4 teens break into car, attack witnesses

4 teens break into car, attack witnesses
By Jennifer Squires - Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted: 03/13/2009 04:32:58 PM PDT


WATSONVILLE - Police arrested four teenagers for allegedly burglarizing a car, then attacking witnesses who tried to stop the crime early Friday.


Around 2:35 p.m., officers were sent to the 500 block of McKenzie Avenue where a man had caught two people breaking into his mother's car, police reported.


Apparently, the man and his nephew were in his van when they interrupted the burglary. A third person joined the two burglars and the trio attacked the witnesses, police said. They allegedly pulled out a metal crowbar and used it to smash the van windows. The man was also hit in the hand with the bar, which caused him to lose control of his van and crash into a parked car, police reported.


At the same time, one of the other burglars threatened to stab the nephew with a sharpened screwdriver, police said.


Then the burglars fled to a nearby garage and hid. That's where police reported finding four teenagers hiding. Officers also found a crowbar, screwdriver, some of the stolen property, a rifle and gang paraphenalia, police said.


Luis Rodriguez and Brian Campos, both 18, live on the street. They were arrested on suspicion of burglary, vandalism, possessing stolen property and a gang allegation. Campos was also booked on an assault charge. Both are being held in County Jail.


The two others, Watsonville boys ages 16 and 17, were taken to Juvenile Hall. One was arrested on suspicion of assault,


burglary, vandalism, possessing stolen property and a gang allegation. The other was booked on suspicion of aiding in a felony, police reported.