An 18-year-old Simi Valley resident was arrested Saturday on suspicion of stealing a 1999 pickup truck loaded with gardening equipment, according to Simi Valley Police.
Louis Delacruz was arrested and booked at the East County Sheriff's Station, police said.
Two unidentified juveniles were booked into juvenile hall.
All were determined to be members of a local gang, authorities said.
The vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner.
The theft took place at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, when the truck's owner was working in the area of Tapo Street and Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley. The key was in the ignition but the engine was not running.
The truck was later seen unoccupied in the 1700 block of Patricia Avenue. Following surveillance, it was stopped by police in the 1800 block of Los Angeles Avenue, authorities said.
Robbery may be punishable by 2 to 9 years in prison. Armed robbery is a more serious version of this crime, committed when a person commits robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. Under California's 10-20-life law, a defendant may face an additional 10 years in prison for displaying a gun, 20 years for firing a fun and 25 years to life for causing serious injury to another person with a gun. Robbery and armed robbery are also considered "strike" offenses under the state's
Three strikes law.