On 05/27/2015 at about 3:02 pm. the City of Hemet Police Department received information that two suspicious male subjects were walking through a parking lot in the 1200 block of S. Sanderson Avenue.
The witness reported that the suspects were seen attempting to open vehicles in the parking lot. The witness provided dispatch with a description of the suspects and advised that they were leaving in a blue Honda Civic. The witness also provided dispatch with the license plate of the vehicle that the suspects were leaving in and dispatch discovered that the vehicle had previously been reported as stolen.
Hemet Police Officers began searching the area and located the vehicle a few miles away, in the 300 block of Ruby Ave. As the officers began forming a perimeter around the home, two subjects who matched the suspect description from the parking lot exited the home through the rear door and fled in different directions over neighboring fences.
One suspect ran west and the officers on the west side of the residence pursued him through the neighborhood. This suspect – David Ruiz, was ultimately taken into custody by officers in the 500 block of Opal Ave.
The second suspect fled east and was pursued by the officers on that side of the residence. This suspect jumped fences into the back yards east and then south of the Ruby address and the pursuing officers lost sight of him in the 100 block of Jade Dr.
Officers began searching the yards in the 100 block of Jade Dr. and Ruby Ave. and found an open garage door at an address on Jade Dr. The Riverside County Sheriff Dept. provided air support but they were unable to locate the suspect. Hemet Police Officers surrounded the home on Jade Dr. and contacted the home owner who advised no one should be in the residence.
Ultimately, the home on Jade Dr. was searched with the assistance of Hemet Police K-9 ‘Jack’ and the second suspect – Robert Ortiz, was found hiding inside one of the bedrooms and was taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Ortiz had forced his way into the home and tried to hide in the attic before settling inside the bedroom.
Arrested:
David Ruiz, 27 year old Hemet resident.
Robert Ortiz, 44 year old Hemet resident.
Charges:
Both Suspects had active warrants for their arrest: Ruiz for violation of parole and Ortiz for violation of probation. Both suspects were also charged with obstructing the police.