Those responsible for committing a brazen daytime home invasion robbery in November, which forced a young girl to hide in the closet while one of the suspects ransacked her home, were recently arrested.
Keven Morgan, 52, and Jodi Northcutt, 48, were arrested by Tustin Police Department for possession of stolen property. Through the course of the investigation, Turlock detectives developed information that led them to believe that Morgan and Northcutt were involved in the November home invasion robbery in Turlock.
On Feb. 7, Northcutt was arrested by Turlock Police Department detectives at the Orange County Jail. She was subsequently transported to Stanislaus County Jail and booked for her involvement in the home invasion robbery, burglary and grand theft.
After criminal proceedings in Orange County had completed, Morgan was remanded into the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. On March 16, he was transported to the Stanislaus County Jail and booked for home invasion robbery, burglary and grand theft based on the warrants obtained by Turlock detectives.
The Turlock robbery began with Morgan approaching the front door of the Turlock home in the 2600 block of Castleview Drive holding a clipboard and a couple of books. He rang the doorbell a couple of times, which set off a bevy of barking from the family dog.
A 13-year-old girl was home at the time. The teen’s father said that after the third ring his daughter got a bad feeling about this stranger at the door and went to hide in the master bedroom closet.
She took a cellphone with her and used it to call 911 when she heard the suspect kick open the front door.
The suspect took a tote bag and began filling it with stolen items as he ransacked the home, including the master bedroom, where he stole some jewelry.
The suspect opened the closet door and found the 13-year-old girl. She was still on the phone with a 911 dispatcher and she began screaming at the intruder. The suspect grabbed her by the wrist and yelled back at her. Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Russ Holeman said the victim attempted to protect herself by hitting the suspect, but that he pushed her down and ran out of the house.
Determined to see that the suspect was fleeing, the 13-year-old chased after him, screaming the entire time as he jumped into a waiting vehicle and it sped away.
Within a minute of the suspect fleeing the police arrived at the home and began searching for the robber, but to no avail.
The police asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect and a home surveillance video was released that shows the suspect coming to the door and the girl’s screams can be heard as he flees the home.
“I am honored and proud of our police department for their dedication to our community. I am especially proud of our detectives who never let up in pursuing leads which led to the arrest of these suspects,” said Police Chief Nino Amirfar.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Detective Cliff Lewis 209-668-6556. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
