A man beaten up, threatened at knifepoint and robbed of his wedding ring early Tuesday morning in Hanford received his property back less than an hour later, thanks to local police. Officers arrested three men on suspicion of the crime when they were found not far from the scene of the Lassen Drive and Florinda Street robbery.

Arrested was Arthur Lee Shepard, 42; Lapries Vinyon Harris, 28; and Aureliues Elfassia Vickers, 42; all Hanford residents.

The men were found lingering outside a home in the 1100 block of Florinda Street just one hour after the 12:40 a.m. robbery occurred, according to a Hanford police news release.

The victim, who was not named by police, was able to positively identify the three men as the suspects who robbed him.

A search of the Florinda Street home uncovered the missing wedding ring and a pocket knife that was taken from the victim, police said. Both items were returned to their owner.

Police Lt. George Hernandez said the suspects yelled gang slurs at the victim during the incident.

All three men were booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of robbery.

Vickers was also charged on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a smoking device.

The Hanford Parole Office said Harris was out on parole at the time of his arrest for a previous incident of evading peace officers in a vehicle with "wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property."

Each man is being held on separate bail of $50,000 or more.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(July 16, 2009)