Authorities arrested four people who they suspect broke into a La Grange home while heavily armed early Thursday, beating the resident and stealing marijuana plants, cash and other items, the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department reported Friday.
No shots were fired.
The home-invasion robbery occurred at a home in the 2500 block of Alameda Drive, west of Merced Falls Road, said Sgt. Jeff Wilson, a sheriff's spokesman.
Shortly before 1 a.m., sheriff's officials received a call from Modesto police about the robbery. Daniel Carter Lutes, 42, was seriously injured by the robbers and was being treated at a Modesto hospital.
Wilson said Lutes is expected to survive his injuries. The officer did not say how Lutes was beaten.
About an hour later, a sheriff's deputy arrived at the La Grange home and found it empty, but he noticed signs of a struggle.
Sheriff's detectives obtained a search warrant and found evidence of the robbery and a large indoor marijuana garden at the home.
Wilson said about 1,000 marijuana plants were being grown inside the home, which had equipment to maintain a hydroponic marijuana garden.
The home-invasion robbery suspects were identified as: Whitney Montenez, 22, of Riverbank, Bradley Montenez, 24, of Modesto; Michael Uperesa, 18, of Modesto; and Peter Toilolo, 22, of Modesto. Wilson said Whitney and Bradley Montenez are siblings.
Investigators believe the suspects entered the home armed with handguns and shotguns and wearing masks. Wilson said the suspects then tied up Lutes and stole the marijuana plants, cash and the other items.
He said the suspects took about 700 marijuana plants from La Grange and returned to a Modesto home. Lutes knew some of the people who robbed him and helped investigators identify the suspects.
Modesto police conducted surveillance at the home for several hours until the suspects tried to leave in a car. Police stopped the car and took the suspects into custody.
Wilson said the suspects were arrested on suspicion of robbery, felony battery, kidnapping, burglary and possession of stolen property. They were being held at the Tuolumne County Jail on Friday.
He said some of the stolen items were recovered, but it was unclear whether the stolen marijuana plants were found.
Lutes had a recommendation from a doctor to grow about 60 marijuana plants for medical purposes. Wilson said Lutes is expected to be charged with illegal marijuana cultivation once he is released from the hospital.
Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.
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