THOUSAND OAKS : 4 Are Held Over Beating, Robbery

Four suspected members of a Conejo Valley gang remained in custody Friday after being arrested on suspicion of beating and robbing two teen-agers who had been sitting on a Thousand Oaks curb, sheriff’s deputies said.

The teen-agers, both 18, were in the 200 block of Valarde Drive about 11:55 p.m. Wednesday when the four approached them and demanded cigarettes, said Sgt. Kitty Hoberg of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

When the two Thousand Oaks men refused, they were beaten and one was robbed of his backpack and its contents, Hoberg said.

Neither of the two required immediate medical attention.

Moments after leaving in a white Hyundai driven by a 16-year-old Thousand Oaks girl, the suspects were apprehended by deputies at a nearby fast-food restaurant, Hoberg said.

Booked on suspicion of robbery were 18-year-old Mark Ancheta, 20-year-old Kevin Corey and 18-year-old Ryan Shepherd, Sgt. Will Hammer said.

Deputy Richard Thomas said all were being held Friday at Ventura County Jail. Bail for each was $20,000 and their arraignment was scheduled for Monday.

The fourth suspect, a 16-year-old Thousand Oaks boy, was taken to Ventura County Juvenile Hall, where he also remained in custody Friday, Detective Ernie Montagna said.

He said investigation into the 16-year-old girl’s possible involvement was continuing.