The short version
- Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that three hooded men dressed in black broke the lock on a balcony gate in the Almirante Sur sector of Vega Baja on Wednesday night
- According to police cited by both outlets, the victim heard his dogs barking, opened the door and was confronted by the intruders who pointed a firearm at him
- Primera Hora reports the assailants forced the man to sit in an armchair while they searched the house, taking $450 in cash and several collectible coins
- No one was physically harmed and no arrests have been made; the case was referred to the Criminal Investigations Corps (CIC)
Intrusion and Robbery
A man was the victim of a home invasion robbery in the barrio Río Arriba, sector Almirante Sur, Vega Baja, on the night of Wednesday, Oct. 28. Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that three hooded individuals dressed in black broke the padlock on the balcony gate, entered the residence and confronted the occupant after he opened the door upon hearing his dogs bark.
One of the intruders pointed a firearm at the man and forced him to sit in an armchair while the others searched the house. The assailants took $450 in cash and several collectible coins whose value was not specified. They left the property without causing physical harm to the victim, according to the preliminary police report cited by both Telemundo Puerto Rico and Primera Hora.
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Investigation Underway
Agent José Hernández conducted the preliminary investigation and referred the case to the Cuerpo de Investigaciones Criminales (CIC) for further inquiry, Primera Hora reported. No arrests have been made in connection with the robbery.
Police asked anyone with information that could help solve the case to call 787-343-2020.
Where the sources differ
Both Telemundo Puerto Rico and Primera Hora agree on the essential facts: the Wednesday night home invasion in Vega Baja’s Río Arriba sector, the three hooded and armed intruders, the method of entry by breaking a balcony gate padlock, the victim being held at gunpoint in an armchair, the theft of $450 cash plus collectible coins, and the lack of physical injury. Primera Hora adds that the agent who handled the preliminary investigation was José Hernández and includes a police tip line, details not mentioned by Telemundo.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not identify the victim, give his age, or describe the type or caliber of the firearm used. They also do not state the exact time of the incident, whether the residence had security cameras, the specific denominations of the stolen cash, or an estimated value for the collectible coins. It is unclear if the intruders arrived on foot or in a vehicle or whether any fingerprints or other evidence were recovered.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Encapuchados asaltan a hombre dentro de su residencia en Vega Baja
- Reporting Encapuchados armados amenazan a hombre y le roban en su casa en Vega Baja
How we checked this
Telemundo Puerto Rico and Primera Hora both based their stories on the same preliminary police report. The additional details about the investigating agent and the public tip line appear only in the Primera Hora account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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