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EL MIRAGE – A 35-year-old man was taken into custody after residents of an El Mirage home returned home on Christmas Eve to find him inside their home.

The family arrived at their home in the 14000 block of Palmer Road near De Berry Street at around 3:52 p.m. The husband and wife victims were shocked to find the Hispanic man inside their home. Not recognized by either of them, the two scuffled with him, attempting to retrieve their property that he was attempting to steal. The two gained control and attempted to detain him until deputies arrived.

The suspect was able to break away from the grasp and fled into the desert. Sheriff’s K9 Ellie arrived and followed a 2-mile trail through the desert leading the deputies to the suspect, later identified as Julio Zavala. The deputies identified themselves and the suspect again began to run through the desert with the deputies following behind. Nearly a mile away, the deputies apprehended him and were able to take him into custody.

Zavala was linked to other burglaries in the area. Anyone who has additional information about the case or burglaries is encouraged the contact Deputy Williams at the Victor Valley Sheriffs Station.