Suspect at large arrested in Las Vegas
GLENDALE — A parolee who allegedly robbed a woman outside a Glendale convalescent home at knifepoint is in custody after eluding police for several months, officials said.
Glendale police detectives had been looking for Richard Lugo since DNA evidence retrieved from gloves used during the November robbery matched his own, Det. Keith Soboleski said.
“He couldn’t explain why DNA evidence was present,” Soboleski said.
Lugo reportedly entered the lobby of a convalescent home on the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue about 11:50 p.m. Nov. 25 and sat there as if he was waiting for somebody, Soboleski said.
As a nurse exited the lobby, Lugo allegedly approached her at knifepoint and demanded her purse, Soboleski said. After allegedly grabbing the purse, Lugo took off running, Soboleski added.
Police arrived to the convalescent home and initiated a search. Lugo was gone, but police did find a pair of gloves.
On April 8, Soboleski said DNA samples taken from the gloves identified Lugo as the alleged robber.
After being unable to track Lugo down, his parole agents declared him to be at-large. Then, in July, Soboleski said Lugo called to say he was leaving California for work, at which point a warrant was issued for his arrest.
More than a week later, Las Vegas police stopped Lugo in connection with a traffic violation. After discovering that he had an outstanding warrant, he was arrested and Glendale officials were notified, Soboleski said.
Las Vegas court officials ordered Lugo to return to California for imprisonment since he was a parolee at large, he said.
Lugo was transported to Chino state prison where he is currently being housed, Soboleski said.
Representatives for the convalescent home could not be reached for comment.
Once Lugo has served his time for the parole violation, he will face a robbery charge in connection for the purse snatching, Soboleski said.
The Police Department recently created a database that keeps track of recently released parolees as state and county jails continue to release inmates without parole supervision to ease overcrowding and cut costs.
Police officials say more parolees are expected to be released into Glendale in the coming months.