Marijuana focus at third home invasion robbery in El Dorado County

El Dorado County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a home invasion robbery on December 4 at 7:00 a.m. on Meadow Circle in Rescue. The woman who called in the report told the 911 operator that one person had been stabbed.

Once deputies arrived they found three occupants at the home, including one male who was bleeding. They were all escorted to a safe place where medics could evaluate them.

Checking the rest of the house for additional victims and/or suspects, deputies noticed the house appeared to have been ransacked. In addition, marijuana was seen in almost every room but no suspects in the robbery were found.

"It looked like the residence and property was being used as a commercial marijuana facility to include growing, drying, processing, and packaging," Lt. Tom Murdock said in a press release.

According to the victims, they were asleep when someone kicked open the back door. People came in the house, two or possibly more, one armed with a shotgun. The suspects ordered them to turn face down and be quiet. As the suspects searched the house, they demanded the male resident tell them where the money was.

During the robbery, one of the suspects threatened the male resident with a knife. The male received several cuts, some that required stitches. He was later treated at the hospital and released. The suspects tied all three victims and left taking money and marijuana.

By the time the sheriff’s office was called, the suspects had been gone for some time.

The suspects were described as possibly Hispanic, in their late 20’s to mid-30’s. One suspect was described as wearing a hoodie and some sort of a mask. They were heard talking to each other in English and Spanish.

In the past as many weeks there have been three reported home invasion robberies at places where marijuana was processed or stored. On November 28 in Mt. Aukum and November 19 in Greenwood.

Detectives and CSI responded and processed the scene. Anyone having information on this crime is encouraged to call the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (530) 642-4703.