Police Arrest Home Invasion Suspect, Search For Second

A 42-year-old man was arrested Thursday in connection with a home invasion robbery in Desert Hot Springs, police said.

Robert Francis Valenzuela and a second man allegedly robbed a home on Third Street on Nov. 4, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

One man armed with a rifle and the other with a stick, kicked in the door at the home around 1:15 p.m. and went inside demanding money from several victims, police said.

Police said one victim fought with one suspect before the suspects ran out the door. The two suspects, who witnesses said wore masks on their faces, fled the scene in a Ford van.

Two victims got into vehicles and tried to chase the suspects down but ended up finding police nearby and reported the robbery, pointing out the suspect vehicle as it drove past them. Police later identified Valenzuela as the driver of the van.

During the chase, police said the suspects threw the rifle from the robbery out into the street. Police lost sight of the van westbound on Eighth Street near Little Morongo and had been looking for Valenzuela ever since then.

After receiving a tip about Valenzuela’s whereabouts, police took him into custody Thursday without further incident.

Police are still looking for the second suspect.