Police Arrest Suspect in Violent South Bay Home Invasion Robbery

One of four men who allegedly carried out a home- invasion robbery in Manhattan Beach nearly six months ago was in custody today, and police named one of the three fugitives still being sought.

The crime occurred Nov. 25 in the 100 block of Morningside Drive, said Manhattan Beach police Sgt. Paul Ford.

On Tuesday, police arrested Rodolfo Sanchez, 28, in Hacienda Heights, and he was booked on suspicion of robbery, burglary, and false imprisonment, Ford said. Bail was set at $2.175 million for Sanchez, who’s scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday at the Torrance courthouse.

Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Milton Lavender, 28, and released his photo. He is black, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

“Sanchez and ... Lavender were linked to the crime by biological evidence left behind at the scene,” Ford said. “Aside from being wanted by Manhattan Beach police, Lavender is also wanted by the Los Angeles Police Department for a home-invasion robbery in their jurisdiction.”

The Manhattan Beach crime was allegedly committed by Sanchez, Lavender and two other men whose identities are unknown, Ford said.

Four men broke into the home while the residents were away, and confronted the victims upon their return, beating one of them and forcing him to open a safe, Ford said.

The suspects gained entry into the home by breaking a lower-level window, Ford said. The suspects ransacked the residence and fled with cash and guns, Ford said.

“Both victims’ hands were tied, and the male victim was beaten,” Ford said.

Anyone with more information on the case was urged to call Detective Mike Rosenberger at (310) 802-5127, or their local law enforcement agency.

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