News headline from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:

Two women walked in on a home robbery on Wednesday afternoon and were pepper-sprayed and pistol whipped before being tied up as the robbers tried to get away.  One suspect was arrested a short time later and the other suspect is at large.

At around 2:30 p.m. on May 16th, deputies responded to a residence in the 39000 block of Hidden Trail Court in the unincorporated area of Murrieta after receiving a report of a home invasion robbery that had just occurred at that location.  The cul-de-sac neighborhood is east of Winchester Road/Highway 79 and the French Valley airport.

Their investigation revealed that the homeowner and her female friend arrived at the Hidden Trail Court home and went inside.  They were immediately confronted inside by two masked men who were armed with pepper spray and a pistol.  Both victims were pepper sprayed and tied up, and one of the victims was struck with the pistol.

The two suspects robbed the victims of an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables and then fled.

While the suspects were leaving, the two victims were able to free themselves and run to a neighbor’s house for help.  The neighbor was able to get a description of the suspect vehicle and gave that information to the police via 911.

The suspect vehicle was seen driving on Auld Road and police stopped it in front of the Southwest Sheriff’s Station.  There was one suspect in the vehicle and he was taken into custody without incident.  Evidence from the robbery was also recovered from the vehicle.

The second suspect was not located then and has not been found.

The suspect who was arrested was booked into the Southwest Detention Center on charges of home invasion robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

The woman who was struck with the pistol was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with further information regarding this case is asked to contact Investigator Gorlicki at 951-696-3000.

Filed under Headline

Thursday, May 17, 2012

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