Orange County Home Invasion Probably Drug Related

Three gang members allegedly broke into a home on New Year’s Eve in Tustin, Orange County, California. One of the suspects pistol whipped the resident and ran off with about $200 according to the Orange County Register. A car chase through Tustin and into Santa Ana ended up with the suspects fleeing on foot. The owner of the car was Jose Zendejas, he was arrested in Long Beach. A second suspect Ernesto Garcia was arrested in Santa Ana and both men are being charged with robbery (Penal Code Section 211) and street terrorism (Penal Code Section 186.22). A third suspect Alberto Penaloza is being charged with robbery, possession of a controlled substance for sale (Health and Safety Code Sections 11359, 11378, 11351) and as convicted felon in possession of a stolen firearm (Penal Code Section 12021(a)(1). An amount of methamphetamine was found and evidence of drug sales (Health and Safety Code Section 11378). Examples of evidence the drug is for sale include if the substance is packaged in individual amounts, the amount of the drug, if scales are found with the drug and/or a significant amount of small bills.