Ammunition seized, assault suspect arrested

PALMDALE – Authorities seized a large amount of ammunition and firearm parts Thursday from the home of a man wanted in two separate incidents of assault with a deadly weapon committed this week.

Enrique Rojas, 23, drove away from the location just prior to the raid, and he was arrested, according to Lt. Cory Kennedy of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

In describing the circumstances that led to Rojas’ arrest, Kennedy states:

On 7-24-13, suspect Rojas went to the victim’s house and confronted him regarding rent.  A fight ensued.  Suspect Rojas pulled a firearm from his waistband and pointed it at the victim.  The victim, who was outside at the time, ran and was followed by the suspect who made statements about killing him.  The suspect was told the police were called, so he got into his car and fled prior to their arrival.  Responding deputies located the suspect’s vehicle abandoned and discovered a handgun inside.  The suspect was not located.

Palmdale detectives were made aware of this incident and realized they already had another case involving the same suspect from 7-21-13.  In that case, it was alleged he assaulted another person with a handgun.

Detectives were already planning a search and arrest operation on that incident.  [Thursday morning], detectives and members of the Palmdale Station “Partners Against Crime” unit served a search warrant and arrest warrant in the 5500 Block of Katrina Place.  The suspect drove away from the location just prior to the service and he was arrested.

The search of the house resulted in the seizure of a large amount of ammunition and firearm parts.  The gun used in the assault was not located.  The gun seized from the suspect’s vehicle earlier was not the gun involved in the two assaults.

Rojas was arrested at 11 a.m. Thursday and jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail. He was released Friday afternoon after posting bond, according to inmate records.