Man, Youth Arrested in Home Invasion Robbery

A man and a teenage boy have been arrested in connection with a San Fernando home invasion in which two brothers overpowered and beat two robbers, police said Wednesday.

San Fernando Police Lt. Bob Ordelheide said Ronald Gasca, 28, of Palmdale and a 17-year-old Pacoima youth were arrested Tuesday and booked on suspicion of kidnapping and robbery.

Both could face 25 years to life in prison if they are convicted on all charges, Ordelheide said.

Gasca, who was arrested at his home, is being held at San Fernando Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, police said. He is to be arraigned today in San Fernando Superior Court. The teenager, whose name was not released because of his age, was taken into custody at an area continuation high school and is being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall. He was arraigned Wednesday in San Fernando Superior Court.

Due to the violent nature of the charges and the youth’s record, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office recommended that he be tried as an adult.

Investigators said they do not know if the suspects, both of whom are believed to be members of a Pacoima gang, knew the family.

Two masked intruders forced four relatives and a friend into a bedroom of a San Fernando jewelry store operator’s home about 11 p.m. Jan. 29. Family members said they believed the robbers thought money and gold were kept in the woman’s house.

According to police, when one robber armed with an assault rifle lowered the weapon to grab jewelry and cash, the brothers fought back, punching and hitting the attackers with the butt of their rifle.

Four shots went off during the struggle but no one was injured, police said.

The robbers fled with about $800 in cash and a gold bracelet, property that police said has not been recovered.