Chaos erupted in Unincorporated Escondido when two suspects allegedly shattered the tranquility of a suburban neighborhood, breaking into an occupied home. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred on January 6 just before 8:00 p.m., with a 9-1-1 call signaling a burglary at a residence in the 2900 block of Gait Way. The homeowners, startled by a loud crash from their upstairs bedroom, realized intruders were trespassing as footsteps echoed from the floor below.
The sound, later confirmed to be the smashing of a rear glass sliding door, prompted an immediate response from authorities. Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter quickly hovered over the scene, pushing the suspects to escape in a nearby vehicle hastily. Deputies from the San Marcos Sheriff's Station then managed to quickly track down and pull over the getaway car, thanks to aerial guidance. Post the traffic stop, two men bolted from the car—leading officers on a chase. Daniel Herrera, born September 22, 1983, was apprehended after what was described as a long foot pursuit through rough terrain. The other suspect managed to elude capture.
Present in the car during the arrest, Millaray Almendra Gonzalez Alegria, whose birthday coincidentally was January 6, 2003, was also taken into custody. Both she and Herrera now face an array of charges, which include residential burglary, conspiracy, and obstructing/resisting an officer. Additional charges hang over Gonzalez for allegedly committing a felony while on bail. The accused were booked into the Vista Detention Facility, awaiting proceedings. Deputies also disclosed the recovery of numerous stolen items from the suspects, hinting at a larger web of thefts.
While the investigation is actively ongoing, and authorities are combing through leads, they urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist. Should you have any details, the Sheriff's Department can be reached at (858) 565-5200. Detective David Arnold, who can be reached at [email protected], or through the San Marcos Sheriff's Station at (760) 510-5200, is overseeing inquiries, according to an official statement.
