Troubled businessman resorts to home invasion robbery at his old neighborhood

HIDDEN HILLS – On Sunday, July 14th, Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a home in a gated community on the 24600 block of Long Valley Road on a report of a burglary in progress. What they found was shocking and surprising, but fortunately resulted in no injuries, and the arrest of a 75-year-old man.

Ronald Snyder normal, and displaying the wig he had with him.

When officers arrived before 10 am, according to a Sheriff’s press release, they found a woman crying in the doorway of her home, and a man standing in front of her, his back to the deputies. He tried to push the woman into the house, but the deputies intervened, and noticed a handgun in his waistband. As he tried to pull the gun out, they quickly brought him under control, and proceeded to arrest him without any further trouble.

In interviewing the victim, deputies learned that the man had come to her door and identified himself as a Sheriff’s deputy. He then forced his way into the home and pointed a gun at her head, and told her it was a robbery. The woman claimed to have nothing of value in the home. Meanwhile, a scream from his mother alerted her son of the trouble, and he alertly dialed 9-1-1 while quietly listening to the exchange between them. She apparently manipulated him enough to get him out the front door where the deputies found them.

After he was detained, the deputies identified him as 75-year-old Ronald Snyder. Further investigation linked him to another robbery in the same neighborhood, which is about 12 miles from his current home in Chatsworth. Until a recent financial setback, Snyder had also owned a home in the community, and was thus able to gain access through the gates. Snyder is listed as the owner of Moto Part Exchange Company in the City of Commerce. (A call to the office met with no comment from the representative answering the phones.) Investigators have stated the they believe the motive for the crimes was his recent and significant financial troubles.

Some of the weapons and evidence collected in the investigation

A search of Snyder’s car on the scene revealed false law enforcement ID, handcuffs, a wig, gloves, rope and two handguns, one with a silencer attached. Warrants served at his home in Chatsworth and his business allowed detectives to recover additional evidence and numerous firearms.

Snyder was arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys on Tuesday for felonies including robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and impersonating a peace officer. His bail was set at $1,000,000. Anyone who may have additional information is asked to contact Detective Solomon from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s office at 818-878-5542. Anonymous tips may be given to LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting TIPLA and the information to CRIMES (274637), or through their website lacrimestoppers.org.

Photos courtesy LA Sheriffs Department

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