Suspect Was Shot By One of His Co-Conspirators
Brandon Husted and Esteban Sanchez
SCOTTS VALLEY—Detectives with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office arrested four suspects in a home invasion robbery, after a reported gunshot wound led them to the stolen property. Arrested were 24-year-old Erik Vlach of Scotts Valley, 19-year-old Capitola resident Jeremy Spencer, 19-year-old Brandon Husted of Live Oak and 19-year-old Esteban Sanchez, also of Live Oak.
On September 19, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Detectives were called to the Dominican Hospital on a report of a gunshot wound. At first, Vlach claimed that he was shot in the foot by an unknown assailant, but later confessed that Spencer had shot him.
Both the home invasion robbery and the stolen goods were found at homes on 30th Ave. in Live Oak.
Detectives were able to connect Vlach and Spencer to a home invasion robbery that occurred at the same time of shooting, on the 1500 block of 30th Avenue. They determined that during the robbery two armed suspects entered the victim’s home wearing black t-shirts over their faces, and stole cash, marijuana, electronics and a rifle, and then fled on foot. In the confusion, Spencer accidentally discharged one of the guns, hitting Vlach’s right foot.
Jeremy Spencer in a Facebook image, with possibly Esteban Sanchez. Spencer is friends all three others through his Facebook page.
Both Spencer and Vlach were arrested on charges of robbery, conspiracy, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharging of a weapon. Their bail has been set at 100,000.00 dollars. Both men have a long history with law enforcement. Records show Spencer has been arrested at least eight times in the past year, on theft, burglary and drug charges. Vlach’s arrest records go back further, with over 25 arrests dating back to 2007, on charges such as theft, grand theft, burglary, battery, illegal weapons, drug offenses, and parole violations.
Brandon Husted and Erik “Ricky” Vlach (Facebook)
Through their arrest of Vlach and Spencer, detectives learned the location of the stolen property. Ironically, it was found just a few doors down from where the robbery had occurred, at Brandon Husted’s home. It appears that the first two committed the robbery, and arranged to retreat to Husted’s nearby home for a quick hiding place.
Deputies arrested Husted at the residence and have charged him with possession of stolen property, conspiracy and a probation violation. His bail was set at 10,000.00 dollars. Like Vlach and Spencer, he is no stranger to the county jail, with at least eight arrests in the past year.
Detectives also arrested a fourth suspect, Sanchez, who was charged with possession of stolen property. It is not clear if he was in on the robbery, or just at Husted’s house at the time. He was released at the scene.
