A home invasion eerily similar to the one that occurred Tuesday in Durango was reported a week earlier in La Plata County, law enforcement said Thursday.
In last week’s incident, three men reportedly entered a home in the southern end of La Posta Road (County Road 213) south of Durango and stole $16,000 to $18,000 worth of marijuana, said Lt. Dan Bender, spokesman with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon entering the house, the suspects said they were Drug Enforcement Administration agents, handcuffed the two occupants, put pillow cases over their heads and released pepper spray, Bender said. The robbers did not appear to be armed with anything other than pepper spray, he said.
The robbers made a clean getaway.
“We have no suspect information at this time,” he said.
The residents had a state license to grow marijuana for medical use, Bender said.
The victims, who were not injured, reported the incident at 3:37 a.m. Tuesday, May 17 – eight minutes earlier than this week’s home invasion and robbery, which was reported at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Law enforcement officials don’t believe the incidents are connected.
“Even though there are some similarities, there’s no connection between the two cases,” Bender said.
In this week’s incident, three men entered a home in the SkyRidge subdivision, used zip ties to restrain the occupants, and planned to steal a “large amount” of marijuana, according to the Durango Police Department.
Something went wrong, and one of the suspects shot Samuel Xarius Gordon, 20, once in the abdomen. He died from his injuries.
Police found 9 pounds of marijuana inside the house.
Four suspects, including a getaway driver, were stopped and arrested while leaving the scene. They are being held on suspicion of first-degree murder.
The robbers from last week’s home invasion remain at large.
The Sheriff’s Office declined to release further information, saying the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 247-1112.
shane@durangoherald.com
