Three men and two women allegedly robbed and assaulted a 20-year-old man in his Rancho Peñasquitos home and tried to kidnap him, but the man broke free and four of the five suspect were caught when their getaway car crashed, police said Sunday.
The victim, whose name was withheld, was in a home at 8788 Ellinghmam St. about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when the group got in through a unlocked rear sliding glass door, according to San Diego police Sgt. Bob Dare. The five suspects apparently thought the man had stolen jewelry from a party earlier in the week.
One of the five took the victim into the back yard, ordered him to empty his pockets, took his wallet, cash and cell phone and hit him several times, the sergeant said.
The group forced the man out the front door toward their car but he broke free, grabbed on to a passing car and was dragged a short distance before falling off.
The robbers then sped off in their car but crashed into another vehicle when they ran a red light at Stargaze Avenue and Black Mountain Road, Dare said. Four of the five were arrested running from the car, he said. A fifth left his identification on the back seat of the car, and police were tracking him down.
The victim suffered minor injuries from the assault and in his fall. The suspects suffered minor injuries in the collision.
