The alleged victim of a motel robbery made a first appearance in Clark County Superior Court on Monday to face allegations in connection with the case.
Alvino Soto-Arriaga, 29, of Vancouver appeared on suspicion of felony communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Prosecutors said they may file additional charges.
Soto-Arriaga was reportedly robbed at gunpoint at the Guest House Motel, 11504 N.E. Second St. in Vancouver, on May 26. Two of the alleged robbers, Cinthya Araiza, 17, of Vancouver, and Selina Quitugua, 16, whose address is unknown, had arranged to meet with him so he could pay Araiza for sex, according to court records.
The girls were arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery, and they are being tried as adults based on the nature of the crime. A third person, Tylor M. Meyers, 21, of Vancouver also faces an allegation of first-degree robbery for his suspected involvement in the incident.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court, Soto-Arriaga met Araiza at a bank a couple weeks before the robbery. He said she told him she was 18 and that she showed him her identification. Araiza reportedly denied this interaction and said she told him she was 17. The two apparently exchanged several text messages during that time, some of which were sexual in nature, court records said.
Araiza and Quitugua had arranged for Araiza to meet with Soto-Arriaga, but they and two others allegedly planned to rob him instead, court documents said.
On the day of the robbery, Araiza and Soto-Arriaga met at the Westfield Vancouver mall, and he drove her to the motel, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Quitugua, Myers and a third suspect reportedly followed them. Araiza had left a room key outside for her alleged accomplices. Myers told police he armed himself with a 9 mm handgun, entered the room and pointed the loaded gun at Soto-Arriaga, who was in the shower, court documents said. The other male suspect also allegedly had a gun.
The group made off with $1,000 in cash and a credit card, Myers told police. They each split the money. Quitugua told police she did not receive a portion, the affidavit says.
Araiza and Quitugua shared conflicting stories with investigators about who instigated the robbery, according to court documents.
During Monday’s hearing, Soto-Arriaga told Judge Derek Vanderwood that he is a “victim.”
He did not qualify for a court-appointed attorney. Soto-Arriaga said he’s already been in contact with an attorney who advised him not to sign anything.
He added that he fears for his safety because the suspected robbers are also in jail.
Soto-Arriaga is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned June 30.
