Priscilla Ayala (left), Zeynia Medina. Booking photos: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (no booking photo provided for Yessenia Ruiz)
Three women suspected of taking part in a rash of La Quinta home burglaries and car thefts were charged Tuesday with multiple felony counts.
Priscilla Ayala, 26, Yessenia Ruiz, 33, and Zeynia Medina, 28, were charged Tuesday for their alleged roles in several burglaries that occurred from April 1 through Friday at homes on Avenida Bermudas and Avenida Navarro.
Ayala pleaded not guilty Tuesday afternoon to five counts of burglary and one count each of resisting arrest, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property and attempted burglary.
According to deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Ayala broke into a home Friday morning in the 53800 block of Avenida Bermudas.
Ayala was spotted inside the home by the homeowner, but was able to get away before being found later by sheriff’s deputies as they were searching the area, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Herrera.
A foot chase ensued, which led to Ayala allegedly breaking into another home in the 52900 block of Avenida Navarro and locking herself inside. A perimeter was established around the home, but Ayala was not inside when deputies breached the home, according to the sergeant.
Ayala was later found by a police dog hiding inside a shed and “sustained injuries from the apprehension by the K-9 officer,” Herrera said.
She was treated at a hospital for her injuries before being arrested.
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday also charges Ayala for an April 1 burglary on Avenida Navarro, an April 4 attempted burglary on Avenida Bermudas and an April 5 burglary on Avenida Bermudas. She is also accused of stealing a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder.
Ruiz is charged with three counts of identity theft, and one count each of burglary, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.
She is accused of using a woman’s stolen personal information to make purchases at a Circle K convenience store, Home Depot and Walmart.
Medina is charged with vehicle theft and receiving stolen property, in connection with driving a 2017 Kia Sorrento deputies said was stolen in the April 1 Avenida Navarro burglary.
Medina was spotted driving the Kia Friday afternoon in Indio by sheriff’s deputies who stopped her near the intersection of Clinton Street and Green Avenue and arrested her, said sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Ramirez.
Ruiz and Medina are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon.
–City News Service
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