Two men from New York state were charged Tuesday in connection with an alleged home invasion robbery in Redondo Beach.
Jesus Velez, 31, of Rochester, and Draven Luna, 21, of the New York City borough of Queens, pleaded not guilty in a Torrance courtroom Tuesday and were ordered to be held without bail while awaiting their next court appearance Sept. 17, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Velez and Luna are charged with one felony count of home invasion robbery, first-degree residential burglary with a person present and assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury and elder or dependent adult abuse, according to the criminal complaint.
Redondo Beach Police Department Lt. Vince Dileva said officers responded at 5:55 a.m. Sunday to a report of a person pointing a firearm at another person who was inside a vehicle.
The caller disconnected before providing a specific location, but officers were able to use departmental resources to trace the phone to the 1900 block of Mathews Avenue, one block north of Artesia Boulevard, Dileva said.
While trying to determine the location of the reported incident, officers learned that two residents had been the victims of a home invasion robbery, he added.
“The suspects had fled the residence on foot just prior to officers’ arrival,” Dileva said. “Officers gave chase and were able to safely take the two suspects into custody without further incident.”
An investigation revealed that the victims had been bound by the suspects inside their home for “an extended period of time” prior to the suspects fleeing, Dileva said. Both victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the Redondo Beach Police Department at 310-379-2477, ext. 3506, text 310-339-2362, or report tips anonymously at crimetips@redondo.org.
That’s too bad. I’m from Redondo Beach area. This caught my eye.