Two arrested in attempted robbery outside Ventura car wash

Jeremy Childs
Ventura County Star

Ventura police officers arrested two men suspected of attempting to rob a man at gunpoint on Tuesday night, according to authorities.

The incident was reported at 10:05 p.m. in front of Sparkle Car Wash, 1098 Cachuma Ave.

The victim was walking in the area when the men drove up and parked nearby. They exited the vehicle and approached the victim, with one of them pointing a handgun, according to police. The men demanded money and the victim's wallet.

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After the victim refused to hand over his wallet, an unrelated vehicle entered the parking lot, prompting the men to flee the scene in their vehicle, authorities said.

Police arrived and identified the armed suspect as Collin Potter, 24, of Ventura. Potter, a documented gang member, was out on bail for several prior felony charges and was on active probation, according to police.

Detectives found Potter in the area of Saticoy. He was observed with an individual identified as Christo Benitez, 18, of Ventura, who was also identified as the second suspect in the robbery attempt. The two entered a vehicle with a third person and drove away. Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and detained Potter and Benitez, while the third person was released at the scene.

Potter and Benitez were both arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and street terrorism. They were booked into county jail, where their bail was set at $1 million each, according to online jail records.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com. You can also find him on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.