Jan. 3--A group of armed men forced their way into a Southwest Side home Tuesday morning, firing several shots in an attack similar to another home invasion on the same street six days earlier, police said.
About 8 a.m., police received a 911 call that several men had forced their way in through the rear of a house in the 1600 block of West Maplewood Drive, near South Midvale Park and West Drexel roads. A couple and their two young daughters were home when at least three men entered the residence, demanding valuables. The men fired several shots, but nobody was hit, said Sgt. Mark Robinson, a police spokesman.
Police don't believe the home invasion was drug-related, saying the assailants demanded only valuables. The family was robbed, but nothing significant was taken, Robinson said. The three men drove away, possibly with others, in a green GMC Yukon stolen Monday night from a residence in the 2400 block of South Cottonwood Lane, about four miles from the home invasion. The Yukon has an Arizona license plate of 310-RRX. Anyone with information on the Yukon or the home invasion should call 911 or 88-CRIME, Robinson said. Robbery detectives are investigating potential links between Tuesday's home invasion and a Dec. 27 home invasion in the 1500 block of Maplewood, just two doors down, Robinson said. The assailants have similar descriptions in both cases and acted in a similar manner, Robinson said. They were armed in the first home invasion, but did not fire any shots. Detectives are examining other recent violent crimes in the area, including reports of aggravated assaults and shooting, that may be linked to the home invasions, Robinson said. --Star reporter Alexis Huicochea contributed to this story. Contact reporter Eric Swedlund at 573-4115 or at eswedlund@azstarnet.com.
By Eric Swedlund
About 8 a.m., police received a 911 call that several men had forced their way in through the rear of a house in the 1600 block of West Maplewood Drive, near South Midvale Park and West Drexel roads. A couple and their two young daughters were home when at least three men entered the residence, demanding valuables. The men fired several shots, but nobody was hit, said Sgt. Mark Robinson, a police spokesman.
Police don't believe the home invasion was drug-related, saying the assailants demanded only valuables. The family was robbed, but nothing significant was taken, Robinson said. The three men drove away, possibly with others, in a green GMC Yukon stolen Monday night from a residence in the 2400 block of South Cottonwood Lane, about four miles from the home invasion. The Yukon has an Arizona license plate of 310-RRX. Anyone with information on the Yukon or the home invasion should call 911 or 88-CRIME, Robinson said. Robbery detectives are investigating potential links between Tuesday's home invasion and a Dec. 27 home invasion in the 1500 block of Maplewood, just two doors down, Robinson said. The assailants have similar descriptions in both cases and acted in a similar manner, Robinson said. They were armed in the first home invasion, but did not fire any shots. Detectives are examining other recent violent crimes in the area, including reports of aggravated assaults and shooting, that may be linked to the home invasions, Robinson said. --Star reporter Alexis Huicochea contributed to this story. Contact reporter Eric Swedlund at 573-4115 or at eswedlund@azstarnet.com.
By Eric Swedlund
