Criminal charges were filed Friday against a 32-year-old Indio man suspected in a home invasion robbery during which a 90-year-old woman was assaulted.
Jesus Antonio Ramirez was charged with assault, cruelty to an elder, robbery and burglary, all felonies, with arraignment scheduled this afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
Officers went to a home in the 81200 block of Alberta Avenue in Indio around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday in response to a report of a possible robbery and found the victim suffering from moderate injuries for which she was hospitalized, according to the Indio Police Department.
Investigators determined that the woman's attacker used a rock to break a window, then knocked on her front door. She answered and had a brief conversation with the suspect before closing the door and going back inside.
The suspect then forced his way into the home, assaulted the woman, took her wallet and fled, according to police.
Indio police detectives and the department's Special Enforcement Team determined the suspect was driving a silver, four-door 1999 Mercedes-Benz. Officers pulled the car over around 5 p.m. Tuesday near Mountain View Avenue and Towne Street in Indio and arrested Ramirez, who was behind the wheel, in connection with the home invasion and assault, police said.
Evidence at the victim's home allegedly linked Ramirez to the crime and he was positively identified at the crime scene, police said.
Detectives said they are investigating a possible link between Ramirez, who was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail, and two other recent cases.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to contact Indio police at (760) 391-4057. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.
– City News Service.
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