VAN NUYS : Man, 18, Accused of Robbery at Home

An 18-year-old Los Angeles resident was arrested here Thursday after he allegedly broke into a woman’s apartment, robbed her and then fled in a stolen car, detectives said Friday.

Jose Napolean Martinez was in custody at Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of residential armed robbery, said Los Angeles Police Lt. Winthrop Taylor. He was being held in lieu of $130,000 bail and scheduled for arraignment Monday, Taylor said.

According to a police report, the 44-year-old woman had returned to her locked apartment near Fulton Avenue and Kittridge Street when she was confronted by a man with a handgun waiting inside. When her attacker hit her with the gun and demanded money she complied, giving him jewelry as well as cash. He then fled, stealing a car parked in front of the apartment building, police said.

Martinez drew the attention of a patrol officer near Victory Boulevard and Tyrone Street when he collided with a parked car. When the patrol car turned back to investigate, Martinez allegedly ran, leading officers on a foot chase that included briefly boarding a city bus.

Martinez was finally arrested in the 14000 block of Haynes Street after officers cordoned off the area and tracked him down with trained dogs.

Taylor said police drove the robbery victim to the arrest scene and that she identified Martinez as her attacker.