Three Men Allegedly Caught by Teen in Burglary Due in Court

Three men suspected in connection with several burglaries in Cathedral City -- including one in which they were allegedly caught in the act by a teenage resident -- were expected in court Friday.

Cristian Ramirez-Jaramillo, 18, of Cathedral City; Armando Rosales, 20, of Palm Springs; and Ernesto Placencia, 18, of Thousand Palms were arrested about 11:50 a.m. Wednesday at the scene of a burglary in the 30100 block of Kenwood Drive.

Five minutes earlier, a woman driving near Highway 111 and Canyon Plaza Drive told a police officer that her teenage son, who home alone, called her to say people were breaking in to their home, Cathedral City police Sgt. Paul Herrera said.

"Her son was hiding inside the house as he made the cellular phone call," Herrera said.

Police surrounded the house and saw a gray Mercury Sable parked in front, and the driver "told officers he was awaiting the return of two other males who were burglarizing the home," Herrera said.

Officers went inside and found two men with stolen property. They also found the hiding teenager, who wasn't hurt, Herrera said.

He said officers found more stolen goods from other thefts inside the car, and linked the suspects and the vehicle to other burglaries in the neighborhood and in the Cathedral City Cove area.

On Thursday, police found items from those burglaries when they served search warrants at various locations, Herrera said.

"At this time, they believe the group is responsible for at least half a dozen other burglaries or attempted burglaries in various Cathedral City neighborhoods," he said, adding that police are still looking for other stolen property and suspects.

Ramirez-Jaramillo, Rosales and Placencia were booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $35,000 bail each and were expected to be arraigned this afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to jail records.

– City News Service.