Suspected Burglar And Dog Killer Arrested

An 18-year-old suspected in a string of armed residential burglaries in Corona was behind bars today.

Dezmen Jack Tia, of Corona, was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of burglary, being in possession of stolen property and controlled substances. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. Bail information was not immediately available.

According to Corona police Sgt. Kim Velasco, officers were summoned to the Ashton Apartments in the 2100 block of Russell Drive around 6:30 p.m. Sunday to investigate a burglary in progress.

After arriving at the location, a man matching the suspected burglar's description took off running west on Valley Wood Street, Velasco said.

Velasco said that with the help of witnesses, officers cornered the suspect -- Tia -- and arrested him without further incident.

"Tia was positively identified from a prior burglary on June 18," Velasco said. "He was also found in possession of methamphetamine and stolen property from another burglary in the area."

According to Velasco, Tia matches a composite sketch of a man wanted in connection with a spate of burglaries in the area of Promenade Avenue, between Buchanan and McKinley avenues.

While breaking into one residence, the hooded suspect shot and killed a family dog, Velasco said.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Corona police at (951) 736-2330.--City News Service