Southwest RivCo Crooks Caught In Canoe Crammed With Guns: Cops

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A Lake Elsinore duo is accused of fleeing the scene of a burglary and trying to get away from police by way of a canoe. However, the two men were ultimately caught Tuesday morning and their canoe found hidden in some bushes near the Lake Elsinore shoreline, officials report.

It happened around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, as officers were called to a break-in in the 17000 block of Ryan Avenue, according to sheriff's Sgt. Brian Askins.

"The reporting party called 911 and said she heard glass breaking at her neighbor’s residence and saw a male run from the location," Askins said in a news release.

Police arrived shortly thereafter, confirmed a burglary had indeed occurred and went looking for the suspect, the sergeant said. They then found an interesting getaway attempt underway.

"A Sheriff’s helicopter arrived and located two males nearby climbing into a canoe and then begin to row out onto the lake using shovels as oars," Askins said. "Upon being spotted by the helicopter, the males turned back to shore and pulled the canoe into bushes near the shoreline."

The men took off running, but sheriff's officials ultimately found Jesse Yocum, 20, and Carlos De La Rosa, 23, nearby, according to Askins. Police booked them into the French Valley jail on suspicion of residential burglary, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools, the sergeant said.

"Officers also located several stolen items inside the canoe, three firearms, a pellet gun, a knife, and miscellaneous personal property was recovered," he said. "Additionally, burglary tools were located in the canoe."

What's more, the homeowner who was targeted on Ryan Avenue identified some of the stolen property as hers, the sergeant said.

Jail booking information was not immediately available for the suspected thieves.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Hill of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300.

Images via Riverside County Sheriff's Department show items seized from the canoe and jail booking photo of Jesse Yocum.