Suspects accused of Merced home invasion arrested near Bakersfield, police say

Authorities arrested two men Monday after a reported home invasion/robbery in Merced, according to police.

Officers responded to the area of Phelps Drive at about 12:47 p.m. to a report of a robbery, according to a Merced Police Department news release.

Authorities said it was determined several people were robbed at gunpoint by two armed suspects at the Phelps Drive residence. The suspects then stole a vehicle belonging to an alleged victim and forced another victim to go with them to another Merced location, police said.

Police said the suspects let the victim go and fled the area before later being arrested by the California Highway Patrol during a traffic stop near Bakersfield.

Authorities identified the suspects as 22-year-old Qu Ali Dayzhean Thomas and 22-year-old Emari Malik Goss.

Following an interview with detectives, both Thomas and Goss were booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of home invasion, carjacking and kidnapping, according to police.

Merced police ask anyone with information regarding this alleged crime to contact Detective Haygood at 209-385-6998 or by email at haygoodk@cityofmerced.org.

This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 11:14 AM.