Three Arrested in Keizer Assault

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective Rodney Bamford, at 503-390-3713 ext. 3457.

(SALEM) - Police have made three arrests in a recent assault that involved the alleged beating and robbery of a lone woman walking on Chemawa Road. Armanda Cabigas reported that on Wednesday night, she was robbed of her purse and coat by at least three males who were in a white vehicle.

Cabigas said she was struck in the face and knocked to the ground. She said that she was then kicked when she was down on the ground, while the suspects took off her coat and stole her purse. Police in Keizer say the assault was unprovoked, and left Armanda Cabigas with significant bruising and a fractured nose.

Detectives investigating the case learned that the same suspect vehicle, a white Chevrolet, had been involved in a separate, gang-related assault that occurred the same night off of Silverton Road Northeast in Salem. Two men, 18-year old Matthew Gonzalez and 19-year old Ryan Nepaial were arrested in connection with the Salem case but they say the driver of the suspect vehicle driver eluded police and was not located.

The next day, Salem Police spotted the suspect vehicle, but discontinued the pursuit in the interest of public safety.

On Thursday, Keizer Police Detectives developed probable cause for the above named three suspects for the Keizer case. Matthew Gonzalez was contacted as he made bail from the Marion County Correctional Facility.

Gonzalez was later charged with Robbery II and Assault III. Around that same time, a citizen reported the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle off of Lancaster Drive. Members of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Keizer Police Department Community Response Unit responded to that location and took 19-year old Daniel Santoyo into custody. They say he is the owner of the suspect vehicle.

He was also charged with Robbery II and Assault III. Members of the Salem Police Department Gang Unit worked with our detectives and also charged Santoyo in connection with the Salem assault case.

The final suspect in the case, Ryan Nepaial, was still lodged in the jail. Detectives arrested him for Robbery II and Assault III. All three suspects remain lodged in the Marion County Correctional Facility.

Armanda Cabigas initially reported the robbery to have occurred in the 800 block of Chemawa Road Northeast, in Keizer. But the investigation revealed that the incident actually occurred in the 1000 Block of Highway Avenue Northeast, Salem, Oregon.