Phoenix police investigate deadly home invasion

Phoenix police are looking for three people in connection with a fatal home invasion that left a 53-year-old man dead.

Police on Friday afternoon identified Augustine Valenzuela as the man killed in the home invasion, which occurred late Thursday night near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Sgt. Tommy Thompson, a Phoenix Police spokesman, said three masked men in dark clothing entered a house through a rear door that led to a den area, where they confronted Valenzuela. At least two of the intruders were armed with long guns, Thompson said.

The confrontation resulted in a physical fight between Valenzuela and the armed men, Thompson said.

Three others were home at the time: an adult female, a 20-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy. The three went to the den after hearing the commotion, and the intruders ordered them to the ground at gunpoint, Thompson said.

Valenzuela was seriously injured during the fight and taken to a hospital, where he later died, Thompson said. No other injuries were reported.

The intruders demanded valuables and fled through the front door. Thompson said investigators do not yet know if the house was targeted or if the home invasion was random.

Police have released black-and-white surveillance video believed to show the car used by intruders. In it, a four-door car with tinted windows coasts through the 4100 block of West Citrus Way at about 10:29 p.m., according to the video's time stamp. The same vehicle is shown speeding away eight minutes later. Neighbors reported hearing a car speed away.

Neighbor Heidi Rakovic said the Valenzuela family was friendly but quiet and generally kept to themselves, like most residents of the neighborhood. Rakovic, who has lived in the neighborhood since 2000, said the neighborhood was safe when she first moved in but there have been issues in recent years. Her own home was robbed in 2006.

Steven Julian, a Monitronics employee who has provided security in the area for six years, said the neighborhood has seen many break-ins in recent years, although the neighborhood has been stepping up its security.

Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Phoenix police at 602-262-6151, Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.