Font ResizeNEWARK — A 32-year-old man could face felony charges today as the result of a cell phone found at the scene of a home-invasion burglary last week in which a shotgun had been fired, police said.
Parolee Santiago Steve Ornelas has been arrested on suspicion of several felonies in connection with the July 17 incident. However, police said they still are looking for at least one other man involved in the crime, in which the victim wrestled the shotgun away from one of the intruders. The shotgun discharged during the struggle, but no one was hit.
Ornelas was being held Thursday without bail at Santa Rita county jail in Dublin on suspicion of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and other charges.
He is expected to be arraigned today at the Fremont Hall of Justice.
A cell phone dropped at the crime scene linked Ornelas to the crime, Newark Police Sgt. Bob Douglas said. Ornelas was arrested without incident Wednesday afternoon while he was meeting with his parole agent, Douglas said.
Police said Ornelas is believed to be the man who had been carrying the shotgun during the 3 a.m. incident in the 35300 block of Newark Boulevard near Cedar Boulevard.
A 32-year-old resident who was home at the time confronted the two intruders and tussled twice with one man — believed to be Ornelas — but was not hurt. On the day of the crime, police reported that the gunman may have injured his ankle
It was unclear Thursday if Ornelas had any injuries resembling those suffered by one of the intruders, Douglas said.
Anyone with information about the crime, the second suspect, or a light blue 1980s Ford Thunderbird, may call police at 510-578-4237 or the silent witness hot line at 510-578-4400, ext. 500.
Staff writer Ben Aguirre Jr. can be reached at 510-353-7011 or baguirre@bayareanewsgroup.com.
