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Five Men Charged in Home-Invasion Robbery
posted: December 11th, 2009 04:51 pm |
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Five men were charged today in connection with a violent home-invasion robbery in Newport Coast earlier this week, according to a news release from the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
The men each were charged with one felony count of conspiracy to commit robbery, two felony counts of kidnapping to commit robbery, five felony counts of first-degree robbery in concert and six felony counts of assault with a firearm. The charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.
Two of the men, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles and a 44-year-old from Mission Viejo, are free on $100,000 bail and will be arraigned on Jan. 26. A 36-year-old Los Angeles man was being arraigned this afternoon with prosecutors seeking $1 million in bail.
Police continue to search for two other suspects, a 34-year-old and a 37-year-old, both from Los Angeles. A $1 million warrant has been issued for their arrest, the statement said.
The robbery occurred Tuesday night, when the five defendants met in a parking lot of a nearby grocery. They obtained a pass for the gated community, and one of the suspects parked his Honda Civic outside the gate, officials said. The defendants also parked a BMW outside the gate and left it. One of the men drove the others into the community and let them out at the home while he waited outside.
“At around 10:15 p.m., the three defendants are accused of entering the home, which was occupied by approximately nine people,” the news release states. “They are accused of tying up the victims and hitting three of the victims in the head with firearms. The defendants are accused of stealing watches, wallets, cell phones, cash, and other valuable items from the victims.”
The victims were able to call 911, and police arrived. The suspects tried to flee, but three men were quickly arrested in the area. In spite of an overnight massive manhunt, the two other men have not yet been arrested.
Anyone with additional information should call Newport Beach police at (800) 550-6273; or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Hector Pantoja at (714) 347-8844.
