Man pleads not guilty to robbing acquaintance at gunpoint in Palm Springs

A 41-year-old man pleaded not guilty today to robbing his acquaintance at gunpoint in a Palm Springs apartment.   

Billy Botley was charged with two felony counts for robbery and criminal threats of death or great bodily harm along with sentence-enhancing allegations for being armed, causing bodily harm, engaging in violent conduct, having a prior conviction and serving a prior term in prison or jail.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges and denied the sentence-enhancing allegations on Friday afternoon.   

Officers responded to the 300 block of East Stevens Road in Palm Springs at around 4:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of a home invasion robbery, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Police said Botley entered an apartment with a handgun and demanded money from a victim -- who was later determined to be his acquaintance -- at gunpoint.

He then allegedly fled the scene and was located in Indian Wells the next day, where officers arrested him. Officers also allegedly found the firearm used in the crime.

Botley was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center and was being held on $500,000 bail.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

On Wednesday, News Channel 3's Miyoshi Price spoke with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco about the rise in home invasion robberies. Authorities said most of the time, such as in the Palm Springs case, the suspects are known to the victims. 

Bianco shared tips on developing a home defense plan.