Three youths robbed
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Robberies in public places may not occur often in Moorpark, but that doesn't mean they never take place.

Such an incident, involving two juvenile suspects and three young victims, occurred in front of Mavericks movie theater on Los Angeles Avenue at about 11 p.m. on Mon., Aug. 27.

As they left the theater to wait for their parents, the three youths, ages 12, 13 and 14, were approached by two 17-year-old males. One of the suspects allegedly demanded money, according to authorities.

When the victims told him they didn't have any money, the suspect allegedly asked them to turn their pockets inside out and took the money he found.

"This is the first incident of this nature, not gang related, that I recall in Moorpark in a long time," said Sgt. Will Hammer, a detective with the Moorpark Police Department.

Good descriptions given by the victims helped authorities apprehend both suspects, he said.

Because they'd had contact with the police previously for minor incidents, the detective said, the pair of high school-aged juveniles spent the beginning of the new school year not in class but in juvenile hall.