NEWARK - A cellular phone dropped at the scene of a home-invasion robbery last week has led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man in connection with the crime, which involved the victim wrestling away a shotgun from one of two intruders, police said.

Hayward resident Santiago Steve Ornelas was arrested late Wednesday afternoon and is being held without bail at Santa Rita county jail on suspicion of several felonies including attempted burglary, false imprisonment and possession of a weapon, police said. He is expected to be arraigned Friday at the Fremont Hall of Justice, said Newark Police Sgt. Bob Douglas.

The home-invasion robbery occurred July 17 when two men broke into a home in the 35300 block of Newark Boulevard. The resident was on the second floor of his apartment when the intruders entered his home, and he ended up wrestling a shotgun away from one of the intruders, police said.

The two burglars then fled the home, but the resident gave chase and tussled with one of them, who injured his ankle during the skirmish before getting into a waiting vehicle and fleeing the scene.

The homeowner was not hurt. It's unclear what role Ornelas is believed to have played in the incident and police are still looking for at least one other man in connection with the burglary.

Anyone with information may call police 510-578-4237, or the silent witness hotline at 510-578-4400, extension 500.


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