Investigators have apprehended three of four men suspected in a vicious home invasion robbery that took place in Norco, it was reported.
Dustin Munoz. (Riverside County Sheriff)
Patrick Kohler. (Riverside County Sheriff)
Austin Smith. (Riverside County Sheriff)
In the early morning hours of Thursday Jan. 17, Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in the 4100 block of Equestrian Lane in Norco.
Victims told deputies that four gun-wielding men barged into the home and tied everyone up with zip ties, Sgt. Flores said in a sheriff’s report.
While the victims were bound, the men made off with more than 30 firearms and other valuable personal property.
After an investigation, officers determined Patrick Kholer, 22, was involved and served a search warrant at his home in Riverside.
As investigators arrived at the home, 22-year-old Matthew Rowley of Corona bolted from the house.
Rowley remains at large.
“Most of the stolen weapons were recovered at Kohler’s residence as well as a large amount of narcotics and stolen valuables,” Sgt. Flores said.
A third suspect, Corona resident Austin Smith, 20, fled to Catalina Island and was apprehended with the help of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and returned to Riverside County.
Dustin Munoz, 19, of Corona was determined to be the fourth suspect and was tracked down at his home in Norco. More of the victim’s stolen guns were found at Munoz’s residence.
“In all, investigators recovered over 50 guns that included high power assault rifles,” Sgt. Flores said.
Smith, Munoz and Kohler were all booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on numerous charges.
Rowley is still at large and considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with further information regarding this ongoing investigation is urged to contact Investigator Pabelico at 951-955-2600.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
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