FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 5, 2023
Salem, Ore. — Two suspects in a string of armed robberies in the Salem area were arrested yesterday, December 4, without incident in an interagency operation by the Salem Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) with assistance from Oregon State Police (OSP).
Over a three-week period beginning on November 17, a series of armed robberies occurred at six businesses. In each incident, the suspects brandished guns at employees and demanded money. Four of the robberies occurred in the Salem city limits and two robberies were committed at locations outside the city boundaries and within MCSO jurisdiction.
Detectives from the Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit worked with Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) investigators to identify the suspects. And in a coordinated effort on Monday, Salem Police, MCSO and OSP SWAT teams served simultaneous search warrants at three different locations in Salem which resulted in the arrest of Nestor Gabriel Hernandez-Juarez, age 19 of Salem, and a 17-year-old juvenile. As a result of the warrant service, detectives located evidence connected to the crimes to include three handguns, two which were used in the commission of the robberies.
Hernandez-Juarez was lodged at the Marion County Jail and is due to be arraigned at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex today on the following charges:
- Robbery, first degree, four counts
- Unlawful use of a weapon, four counts
- Menacing, four counts
The juvenile was lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Department on the following allegations:
- Robbery, first degree, six counts
- Unlawful use of a weapon, six counts
- Menacing, six counts
The Salem Police Department does not identify minors involved in criminal investigations.
No further information is available for release as the case remains under investigation.
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