Armed home invasion stuns Desert Hot Springs residents
Police are investigating a deadly home invasion robbery in Desert Hot Springs. An armed intruder is dead after police said he tried to break down the front door of a home and was stopped by a resident with a gun.
It happened last night before 11 near near Hacienda Avenue that's just a couple blocks from Corsini Elementary School.
News Channel's Dani Romero spoke with neighbors and police about the crime.
“He said make sure your locked and loaded and thats’s exactly what I did," said Patrice Kimbler, lives nearby
Patrice Kimbler and her husband were shocked to hear sirens go off Wednesday night in their Desert Hot Springs neighborhood but jumped into action.
“It sounded like it had gone Long Canyon like a chase or something and then about 10 minutes later we heard massive sirens there were spot lights going through our backyard and our neighbors backyard," said Kimbler.
Desert Hot Springs Police said an armed intruder was killed by gunfire during an attempted home invasion. He was shot by a resident of this home during the crime.
“Thats why its really necessary to make sure that you are protected in your home but I always prefer to be able to protect myself because by the time you call 911 how soon can a cop get here at no fault to them," said Kimbler.
Detectives walked out with bags of evidence this morning.
Kimbler said its unusual for a shooting to happen here.
“Sometimes we hear fireworks. Its been a little difficult to differentiate shots being fired like I said we knew something was going up but we weren’t sure what," said Kimbler.
Police said this is the fifth homicide but it’s the first home invasion that has turned deadly this year.
"Yes, it is cause you would think you be safe at your own home yeah we talk this real serious," said Chief Jim Henson.
Chief Henson said his crew is working around the clock to find answer but does advise having a reliable security system could lessen your chances of a burglary.
“Having camera systems, making sure your doors are locked, deadbolts that kinda of stuff that all helps,"said Henson. "Unfortunately in this case they went through and actually broke down the front door.”
Police were sent just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night to the 13700 block of Hacienda Heights Dr. after receiving reports of a shooting, according to Desert Hot Springs Police officials.
Henson said detectives were looking into whether multiple people were
involved in the break-in.
No arrests were reported.
Anyone with information on the shooting was urged to call Detective
Chris Tooth at 760-329-2904 Ext. 352. Tips can be submitted anonymously by
calling Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.
