KTLA

Man charged with 13 counts in El Monte home-invasion robberies

El Monte police respond to a series of home-invasion robberies on Nov. 27, 2022. (RMG News)

A man has been charged with 13 counts of robbery in connection with three home invasions that occurred in El Monte last week, authorities announced Tuesday.

Ajaon Payne, 24, of Compton was charged and a 17-year-old boy was arrested, El Monte police said. Authorities believe two people remain at large.

The incidents occurred during the early-morning hours of Nov. 27 on the 2700 block of Potrero Avenue.

One victim told KTLA that the thieves were looking for something specific as they went from one home to another.

He said the suspects tied up his whole family while he was in the back of the home. They then put a gun in his face, pulled him into the room where his family was and tied him up, too, the victim said.

The thieves then broke into a neighbor’s home when at least one shot was fired, the victim said. No one appeared to have been shot, but three people were hospitalized after they were assaulted.

SWAT officers eventually took the two suspects into custody.

No further details about the incident have been released.