Authorities: driver in home invasion arrested

Authorities: driver in home invasion arrested



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Joel Martinez
Roberto Flores is charged with aggravated robbery in the Hidalgo County Detention Center Feb. 5, 2015 in Edinburg. photo by joel martinez/jmartinez@themonitor.com


Posted: Thursday, February 5, 2015 4:26 pm
LORENZO ZAZUETA-CASTRO | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — A 27-year-old man believed to be the driver in a mid-January home invasion in rural Mission was formally charged Thursday morning, authorities say.

McAllen police arrested Roberto Carlos Flores on Tuesday night, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office spokesman J.P. Rodriguez said.

Deputies responded to a robbery about 12:35 a.m. Jan. 15 in the 8400 block of Tornillo Street after the victim, who was alone at the residence, called to report that several armed men had stolen a safe, Rodriguez said.

The victim told investigators two men with handguns forced their way into her home through a window and demanded money. The victim suspected her brother, Erik Bolanos, 17, was involved since they knew about a safe in the home, according to a criminal complaint.

When questioned later that day, Bolanos admitted that he and three other men carried out the crime. Victor De Anda, 24, and Fernando Cruz, 18, were both arrested a few days afterward and charged with aggravated robbery, authorities say.

More suspects that may be connected to the robbery are expected to be named, Rodriguez said, adding that investigators have not disclosed the value of the safe’s contents or if any other items were stolen.

Justice of the Peace Jaime Muñoz arraigned Flores on aggravated robbery and set his bond at $250,000. Muñoz said that Flores, a Mexican national, has prior felony and misdemeanor convictions which warranted the high bond amount.
If convicted of the first-degree felony, Flores faces between five years and life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

http://www.themonitor.com/news/local...0d36e1fb1.html

Deputies Urge Colonia Residents to Report Crime

Home invasions on the rise
POSTED: 09:00 PM CST Feb 05, 2015

EDINBURG -Hidalgo County sheriff’s deputies say colonia residents must take proactive steps to prevent home invasions.
MORE FROM KRGV

Deputies arrested Roberto Carlos Flores recently in connection with a home invasion at a colonia north of Mission last month.
Deputies say the 27-year-old Flores and another man stormed a home and demanded money. The second suspect is still on the run.

Flores and his accomplice stormed a home on Tornillo Street. It was the third home invasion in the colonia in just one month.
Officials said colonia residents can take cost-effective measures to prevent crime.

“We just happened to see an increase in those particular types of crimes,” Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman J.P. Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said colonia residents can take steps to protect their homes.

“If (they) can't afford a perimeter fence, they can always invest in a dog,” Rodriguez said.

“Another thing is the lighting. In many, many of the houses that we see out in the rural areas there's absolutely no lighting. It's not because the fixtures don't exist; it's simply because they're not turning on the lights,” Rodriguez said.

“Criminals are going to get discouraged by lighting because then there's the potential for witness testimony,” he said.
Rodriguez said neighbors must work together to prevent crime.

“What they need to do is watch out for each other … report suspicious activity,” he said.

Residents on Tornillo Street said they believe some of their neighbors are behind the robberies.

http://www.krgv.com/news/local-news/...Crime/31122958