Jail records reveal suspect in robbery case previously arrested more than 30 times

The four people arrested in connection with a robbery case allegedly held a man against his will, beat him and threatened to kill him.

Police charged Benjamin Ritter, 48; Jessica Erwin, 30; Alfredo Alvarado, 29; and Kimberly Nicole Peterson, 35, with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity/Aggravated Robbery and Unlawful Restraint.

Alvarado has an extensive criminal history. Jail records reveal he has been arrested more than 30 times since he turned 18. Police have charged Alvarado with a slew of charges, including Theft, DWI, Assault on a Public Servant, Assault Causing Bodily Injury, Evading Arrest, and Burglary of a Vehicle.

Ritter was arrested late Monday night after a standoff with police. He allegedly barricaded himself inside his apartment on the 5600 block of Carousel when police showed up to arrest him. Erwin, Alvarado, and Peterson had already been arrested prior to the SWAT standoff.

According to a complaint affidavit filed against Alvarado, the four suspects lured the victim to a home at 1234 East Wyoming on April 26, 2016.

They allegedly took the victim’s keys, wallet and phone then beat him, the document states.

Alvarado allegedly punched the man, Erwin allegedly beat the victim with a stick, Peterson accused the victim of sexually assaulting her, and Ritter allegedly stood watching while “brandishing several knifes.”

Ritter threatened to “cut the victim up, gut him, and get rid of him,” the complaint affidavit states.

Benjamin Ritter (left) Jessica Erwin (Middle) Kimberly Peterson (Right)

“An unknown co-defendant” allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and threatened to take him to the desert, where he would kill him.

While this was happening, Alvarado allegedly tried to sell the victim’s car over the phone.

The victim told police he overheard Erwin and Ritter arguing over lost money and drugs, the document states.

When the victim told his captors he had money at home, the group forced him into his car. Ritter allegedly drove while Erwin sat in the rear passenger seat and allegedly warned the victim, sitting in the front passenger seat, not to move because she would stab him with a knife.

Police said the victim managed opened the door, jumped out of the car, and ran to a gasoline station where he called for help.

Jail records obtained by ABC-7 reveal Peterson had been arrested four times before on charges of Aggravated Assault (Household Member), Theft of Property greater than $100 under $750, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Erwin had previously been arrested in May of 2016 on charges of Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Ritter had previously been arrested in May of 2016 on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance under 1 Gram.