Police: Victim shot robber to death

A robber from Costa Mesa was killed by his own gun Sunday in Riverside County when his victim wrestled away his weapon and turned it on him, police said Monday.

Authorities declined to identify the 24-year-old Costa Mesa man pending notification of family, but said he and Amy Schinzel, 30, of Ontario, forced their way into a Mira Loma home about 8:11 a.m. Sunday intent on robbing the homeowners.

Riverside County sheriff’s officials said they responded to the home after a report of gunshots. By the time officers arrived, the robber was dead in the street and his accused accomplice, Schinzel, was gone, police said.

Police have said it appears the robber and Schinzel got into the home, and the Costa Mesa man tussled with one of the homeowners. The robber dropped his gun and the homeowner grabbed it and fatally shot his attacker, police said. He tried to run off but died in the street, officials said. According to various reports, a group of men in their 20s live in the home.

Schinzel escaped but was arrested by Ontario police later Sunday evening.

Police booked Schinzel on suspicion of murder. Accomplices can usually be charged with murder if one of their accomplices is killed during the crime, officials said. The homeowner who shot the suspect has not been charged, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Riverside Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777.