Local sheriff’s detectives made an arrest in the case of Canyon Country couple asleep in bed, awakened by a knife-wielding burglar demanding money.
About 1:15 a.m. Friday, deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station responded reports of a burglary on the 18200 block of Sierra Highway, Lt. Ignacio Somoano told The Signal Tuesday.
The victim, described only as a 33-year-old Hispanic woman, said she was awakened by noises in the home.
“When she started to get out of bed to inquire, a male suspect entered the room armed with two knives,” Somoano said, noting the suspect had his face and his hands covered with clothing.
The suspect ordered the female victim to remain in bed and she complied, he said.
“She quickly awoke her husband, described only as a 39-year-old Hispanic man, who had been asleep in the bed next to her,” he said.
The suspect then demanded money from both victims. They surrendered the little cash they had and also surrendered their cell phones.
The suspect then fled the residence with the victims’ property and fortunately no injuries were reported.
The victims immediately called 9-1-1 and reported the crime.
The victims also provided video surveillance footage that clearly depicted the suspect’s actions prior to entering the residence and concealing his face and body.
Santa Clarita Valley Station Detectives immediately processed the surveillance video, checked for witnesses, and investigated the scene of the crime, Somoano said.
By late Friday afternoon and after extensive research and investigative work, a known narcotics offender was identified as the suspect who committed the crime.
This information was shared with patrol personnel.
A patrol deputy familiar with the suspect, located him in a wash area near Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway at about 10:00 a.m., Saturday.
“Based on the great surveillance footage, the suspect admitted to the crime,” Somoano said.
“Thanks to the hard work by station detectives and patrol personnel, this dangerous criminal offender was identified and arrested within 33 hours of committing the crime,” he said.
The victims have been traumatized by the incident and have requested to keep their privacy.
The suspect was expected to be arraigned on two counts of armed robbery and one count of residential burglary, with bail set at $230,000.
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