SJPD Make Arrests in Almaden Home Invasion

San Jose police have three men in custody who they say tied up an elderly couple last week

San Jose police on Tuesday they had arrested three men in connection with a violent home invasion robbery in the city's Almaden Valley, where an elderly couple was tied up.

Sgt. Jason Dwyer said the trio of men are not only responsible for last Monday's home invasion, but also may be responsible for a string of violent robberies in the days leading up to the Almaden Valley attack.

The man have been identified as: James Palmerson, Miquel Marez and Ezra Santana. Police said there is no known link between the suspects and the victims.

The final crime was the most brazen.  That's when police said the three men knocked on the front door of a home on Bret Harte Drive at 5:30 p.m.  They then tied up a 73-year-old man and his 76-year-old wife while they ransacked their home and stole their cars, which were later recovered near Hollister and the Uvas reservoir.   At some point, either the husband or wife untied themselves and were able to run to a neighbors' home and call for help. Police say the elderly couple was traumatized by their experience. 

 After the arrests, San Jose detectives determined the three were also allegedly responsible for three other armed robberies that happened in the days leading up to the Almaden Valley home invasion.

Police said the first robbery happened on Jan. 19 at 11:45 p.m. in the 4100 block of Monterey Highway. The suspects approached the victim, brandished a knife and demanded money. One suspect took property from the victim while another suspect stabbed the victim multiple times. The victim was treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The suspects fled the scene, according to police.

Police said the following night, just after midnight. the three suspect allegedly attacked and robbed a food vendor in the area of Story Road and Knox Avenue. The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of money from the victim and fled the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries, according to police.

Police said the final robbery leading up to the home invasion happened in the early morning hours of  Jan. 20 in the 2800 block of Story Road. In this case, the suspects entered a business that was closing. The suspects brandished a handgun and a blunt object and demanded money. One of the suspects physically assaulted the victim with the blunt object while the second suspect brandished a handgun at the remaining employees, police said. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at a local hospital.

Police said all three suspects face numerous criminal counts including armed robbery, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and burglary.

Police said detectives have recovered all of the personal property taken in the home invasion.

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