Three arrested after shooting homeowner during daytime home invasion robbery
Photo: Aramando Hernandez, Alex Griego and Justin Heppler
MORGAN HILL – Three would-be robbers fled the scene after they had entered a home at the corner of Calle Mazatan and Calle Verde near the El Toro Elementary School and robbed the homeowner at gunpoint.
According to the Morgan Hill Police Department, “There was a shooting earlier this afternoon (December 19th) near Butterfield and E Main Avenue.” A call came into the Morgan Hill Police Department around 12:30 PM of a homeowner reporting to dispatchers that he was about to be shot by someone who had entered his home intent on robbing him.
Responding to the scene, officers located a 62-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to his chest. When the MHPD responded to the scene, the homeowner reported receiving a bullet wound after trying to escape from three known Hispanic males who had entered his home by force.
A witness was able to describe to police a red Hyundai used as the getaway vehicle to flee from the scene. The witness saw three suspects running from the home wearing bandanas over their faces.
Police were able to identify the vehicle as the trio drove southbound on U.S. Highway 101. 20-year-old Armando Hernandez, 21-year-old Alex Griego, and 25-year-old Justin Heppler were arrested after police pulled the vehicle over near Tennant Avenue in Morgan Hill.
Police discovered the gun used to shoot the homeowner during a search of the vehicle. According to the Morgan Hill Police Department, “We have information to believe this was not a random act.”
The homeowner believed that he was targeted because he had a large number of valuables inside the home.
