Man Accused of Breaking into Wife's Home, Threatening to Harm Children

A man was arrested on suspicion of breaking into his wife's home and threatening to harm her children Monday morning in Hemet, and he was held behind bars in Banning, sheriff's officials said.

At 5:03 a.m. June 24, deputies in Hemet responded to a reported burglary in progress in the 40600 block of Shellie Lane, Sgt. Craig McDonald of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

"The victim, a 37-year-old female, advised she was sleeping in the residence with her three young children," McDonald said. "She was awakened by her estranged husband, 38-year-old Mario Schyniader of Hemet, who had broken into the residence through a window."

Schyniader allegedly threatened to harm the children and began breaking items in the home, McDonald said.

His wife tried to call 911 from her cell phone, but Schyniader took it from her, so she took her three children to a neighbor's house where she called for help, McDonald said.

"Deputies arrived minutes later and conducted a search of the residence," McDonald said. "Schyniader was located in the back yard of the residence and was arrested."

Schyniader was booked at Smith Correctional in Banning on suspicion of making criminal threats, robbery, and preventing the victim from calling 911 for help, McDonald said. His bail before noon Monday totaled $90,000, according to inmate records.