Five adults and a juvenile were arrested Wednesday night in what police called a “violent, heinous” home-invasion robbery series across northern San Diego.

One of the men arrested is suspected of sexually assaulting a victim at one of the homes, police said for the first time Thursday.

“I believe we’ve got all the main players,” San Diego police Capt. David Nisleit said at a news conference in front of police headquarters Thursday. “We have reached out to all the victims. There was a big sigh of relief from all of them. They’re grateful.”

Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said residents “can sleep safer tonight, knowing these criminals are behind bars.”


“These dangerous criminals, they brought fear to our community. ... They terrorized our citizenry, escalating their violence as their crime spree continued,” the chief said.

Police identified the men arrested as Victor Harvey, 19, Thomas Smith, 24, Stephen Gomez, 20, and Aaron Rico, 20, and the woman as Robin Shawver, 20. The name of a 17-year-old boy was withheld. A fifth man was released after questioning.

They were arrested Wednesday afternoon at a Best Western Hotel in Miramar and at other locations. Nisleit declined to say what clues or evidence led investigators there.

They served search warrants at several undisclosed locations and seized two replica guns believed used in the robberies. Nisleit said some property stolen from the homes was recovered.


In the series, three masked robbers confronted residents, stole cash and jewelry in early morning hours at four homes in Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs, Sorrento Valley and Carmel Mountain over a two-week period. One or two robbers carried a handgun each time.

Investigators said the robbers were going through neighborhoods rattling door knobs and trying garage doors until they would find an unlocked side or back door.

In some cases, residents were tied up. Robbers wore head lamps in at least one of the homes. Police said in the first instances, the intruders meant to enter quietly to steal items, but inadvertently woke residents.

“We were very concerned this would lead to a shooting,” Nisleit said. “It seemed like as they got further into these crimes, they were getting a little more brazen and violent.”


Zimmerman credited “hard work and tireless efforts” by detectives from the robbery, central intelligence, special investigations, and gang units as well as investigators from the area stations where the crimes took place.

The arrests marked the end of Northeast Division Capt. Dawn Summer’s 32-year police career. Thursday was her last day.

“A week ago I told the citizens in Northeast Division that we’d get ’em,” Summers said. “We got ’em.”

Jail records show that Gomez was booked early Friday on six counts of robbery, two of kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault and conspiracy; Smith was booked on seven counts of robbery; and Rico was booked on six counts of robbery and one of kidnapping.


Shawver was booked on six counts of robbery and one each of kidnapping and conspiracy; Harvey was booked on one count of possessing stolen goods. Police said the juvenile justice system can deal with offenders until they turn 25.

Police said four of those arrested are documented by police as gang members, and two have a criminal past.

“This is an open, on-going investigation,” he said, adding that the suspects could face additional charges if they are connected to any other robberies or burglaries. He said, too, that detectives continue looking for others connected to the robbery series, such as anyone who received stolen property from the crew.

The list of robberies linked to the series occurred on:


▪ Jan. 31 on Passerine Way in Sorrento Valley

▪ Feb. 5 on Aliento Court in Rancho Bernardo

▪ Feb. 11 on Spring Meadow Lane in Sabre Springs

▪ Feb. 11 on Breezeway Place in Carmel Mountain


pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com