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Phoenix man guilty in Springs home invasion

A Phoenix man who staged a home-invasion robbery in the Springs in July 2011, was found guilty Wednesday of three counts of home invasion robbery, three counts of false imprisonment and one count of grand theft.

Noel Garcia-Salbalsa, 37, of Phoenix, was found guilty by a Sonoma County jury in connection with the home invasion that took place on July 22, 2011, at a residence in the vicinity of Boyes Boulevard and Railroad Avenue. The jury further found special allegations that the robbery was committed in concert in an inhabited dwelling and that Garcia-Salbalsa personally used a firearm. 

The three victims who were at home that day testified that three gunmen stormed through the front door and ordered them to the floor at gunpoint. A gun was held to the head of each victim while they were handcuffed with zip-ties. The victims were told they would be shot and killed if they did not cooperate.

A fourth suspect then ransacked the house looking for marijuana and money. The victims were robbed of their cash, cell phones, car keys, and approximately 18 pounds of marijuana. Additionally, $30,000 was taken from a safe in the residence. Once the suspects fled, the victims freed themselves from their restraints and were able to see an orange VW Beetle driving away.

Later, a CHP officer spotted the suspect vehicle traveling in Santa Rosa. A high-risk felony stop was made and two occupants were in the vehicle, including Garcia-Salbalsa. Officers found two loaded firearms with the triggers cocked at the feet of Garcia-Salbalsa. A third loaded firearm was found in the rear seat. Also found in the vehicle were zip-ties, masking tape and the 18 pounds of marijuana that was taken from the Sonoma residence.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch said, “Most of the home invasion robberies that are occurring in our jurisdiction involve violence and marijuana. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to hold the offenders accountable and send a message to those who might consider similar conduct.”