KESQ.com News Services

DESERT HOT SPRINGS - Two men accused in a home-invasion robbery in Desert Hot Springs were charged with robbery, police said today.

Elijah Monsoor Edney and Kevin Francisco Avila, both 18 and from Desert Hot Springs, are accused of forcing their way into a home in the 13700 block of Sarita Drive around 4:45 p.m. Nov. 1, pointing a gun at two women and taking a laptop and a jar of 50 U.S. dollar coins before fleeing on foot, said Sgt. Daniel Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Investigators later determined that one of the suspects was Edney, and they served search warrants at both men's homes, Bressler said.

Avila allegedly had the stolen laptop under his bed, along with a pound of marijuana and a loaded handgun, and four baggies of marijuana in his Chevy Camaro, he said.

Both men were arrested Nov. 11. Edney pleaded not guilty Monday to a robbery charge and is set to appear in court on Nov. 30 for a felony settlement conference. He is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $100,000. Avila is free on $5,000 bail and is set to be arraigned Dec. 10.