Coachella Police Connect Pair Of Burglaries
A man and a 16-year-old boy suspected in a Coachella church burglary and a strong-arm robbery were behind bars today.
Coachella resident Gilbert Gabriel Reyes, 21, and the teen were arrested Monday on suspicion of burglarizing the Fuente de Vida Church in the 52800 block of Calle Avila and robbing a person of a cell phone, cash and jewelry, said sheriff’s Sgt. John Crounse.
The burglary was reported at 6 a.m. Monday at the church. Reyes and the teen allegedly entered the building through a broken window and took a television, Crounse said.
While investigating the burglary, deputies saw two suspects walking in the area, but they ran away, he said. Reyes was detained nearby and questioned.
Shortly after, deputies learned that a strong-arm robbery had occurred nearby in the 52200 block of Calle Avila, according to Crounse.
The victim had been approached about 7 a.m. by two suspects, who took his cell phone, cash and jewelry. Investigators determined that the crime was related to the church burglary, he said.
The teenager was found by investigators in the 52800 block of Calle Techa, where property from the crimes was recovered, and was booked at Indio Juvenile Hall, the sergeant said.
