Authorities Say They Were Targeted
SAN BENITO COUNTY—Authorities with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office arrested three individuals after a home invasion robbery was reported near the county line on Bridge Road. Arrested were Monique Marie Valle of San Jose, Stephanie Elaine Smith of Milpitas and David Andrew Hinnen of Sacramento. All suspects were 22-years-old.
Just after 12 am on Tuesday morning, July 8, The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 400 block of Bridge Road on a report of a home invasion robbery that had just occurred. According to the victim, he was home alone when two individuals he did not know entered his home. One had a handgun and pointed it at him while the other one bound him.
One suspect searched the house for undisclosed items. The resident was punched during the assault but did not receive any injuries. After a few minutes, both suspects fled the home and the victim saw them get into a waiting vehicle.
The victim, now free from bondage, pursed the three suspects in his own vehicle and was able to give the police his position thanks to his vehicle’s On-Star system. San Benito County Sheriff’s Deputies located the suspect vehicle near Highway 156 and Highway 25. After a short pursuit the deputies were able to stop the vehicle just south of Bolsa Road and Highway 25. A high-risk stop was performed and all three suspects were arrested and transported to San Benito County Jail.
Stephanie Smith shows off her tattoos. She is a tattoo artist herself in San Jose. (Facebook)
“This was not a random act.” San Benito County Sheriff’s Captain Eric Taylor said, “The victim was specifically targeted.” A search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed numerous items from the home invasion robbery that implicated them as being involved in the crime.
Stephanie Smith, one of the two women arrested, is the owner of Ambitious Ink tattoos in San Jose. Her biography from her website – hussbaby.com – reads “You all may know me as Huss Baby but my real name is Stephanie Smith owner of Ambitious Ink Tattoos. I’ve been in the tattoo industry since September of 2009. I specialize in custom work & love to do color. Check out my work & hope one day you & your people can come get inked up!” On July 7, the night she and the others are accused of the robbery, she posted a message on her Facebook page “& if I die tonight I hope I die a legend”.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating this incident and is asking anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office at 1831-636-4080.
