Crime & Safety
Home Invasions Near RivCo Golf Resort: Trial Ordered For 2 Felons
Andre David Ramon Johnson Jr., 32, of Hemet, and Todd Anthony Thornton Jr., 27, of San Jacinto, were charged in the case.
HEMET, CA — Two felons accused of breaking into several homes surrounding a Hemet golf resort, threatening and robbing the occupants, must stand trial for armed robbery and other offenses, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Andre David Ramon Johnson Jr., 32, of Hemet, and Todd Anthony Thornton Jr., 27, of San Jacinto, were arrested last month following a Hemet Police Department investigation.
At the end of a preliminary hearing at the Banning Justice Center Tuesday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Singerton found there was sufficient evidence to bound both Johnson and Thornton over for trial on charges of robbery, burglary, making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and attempted burglary.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for the pair on Dec. 11 and ordered Thornton to remain held without bail, and Johnson to remain held on $1 million bail -- both at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
According to the Hemet Police Department, the defendants allegedly engaged in a burglary spree on Oct. 9 centered in the Seven Hills Golf Resort, on the south side of the city, near Diamond Valley Lake.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Investigators said multiple properties were targeted, and the defendants allegedly threatened several victims with weapons, though no one was injured.
Patrol officers responding to 911 calls searched the area but were unable to locate the perpetrators, police said.
According to authorities, Thornton was allegedly caught in the act of trying to burglarize another property on Plumrose Street and was taken into custody without incident in the predawn hours of Oct. 12.
Johnson was identified hours later as the second party allegedly involved in the break-ins and was arrested without a struggle by county Gang Impact Team investigators in Temecula.
According to court records, Johnson has prior convictions for spousal abuse, burglary and stalking. Thornton has priors for robbery and being a felon with a firearm.
