Two women plead not guilty to alleged roles in La Quinta home burglary spree
Two of three women accused in a recent rash of La Quinta home burglaries and car thefts pleaded not guilty today to various felony charges.
Yessenia Ruiz, 33, and Zeynia Medina, 28, are accused of being found in possession of property taken in several burglaries that occurred between April 1 and last Friday at homes on Avenida Bermudas and Avenida Navarro.
Ruiz is accused of using a woman’s stolen personal information to make purchases at a Circle K convenience store, Home Depot and Walmart.
She is charged with three counts of identity theft and one count each of burglary, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.
Medina, who is charged with vehicle theft and receiving stolen property, was spotted Friday driving a 2017 Kia Sorrento that had been reported stolen April 1, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Ramirez.
Sheriff’s deputies stopped her near the intersection of Clinton Street and Green Avenue in Indio and arrested her, Ramirez said.
The pair were charged along with co-defendant Priscilla Ayala, 26, who pleaded not guilty Tuesday to five counts of burglary and one count each of resisting arrest, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property and attempted burglary.
Ayala allegedly broke into a home Friday morning in the 53800 block of Avenida Bermudas. She was spotted inside the home by the homeowner and got away, but was later located by deputies as they were searching the area, according to Sgt. Paul Herrera.
A foot chase ensued, at which point Ayala allegedly broke into another home in the 52900 block of Avenida Navarro and locked herself inside. A perimeter was established around the home, but Ayala slipped out and was later found by a police dog hiding inside a shed, Herrera said.
She was treated at a hospital for injuries “sustained .. from the apprehension by the K-9 officer” before being arrested, Herrera said.
The criminal complaint filed Tuesday also charges Ayala with an April 1 burglary on Avenida Navarro, an April 4 attempted burglary on Avenida Bermudas and an April 5 break-in on Avenida Bermudas, as well as stealing a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder.
The trio will return to court April 21 for a felony settlement conference.
