Two More Suspects Arrested in Murder and Home Invasion

Two More Suspects Arrested in Murder and Home Invasion


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Alex Cabrero reportingThere's a disturbing link between a murder and a home invasion robbery -- both involving elderly women.

Salt Lake police arrested two teenagers this afternoon in connection with both crimes.

Today's arrests means three people are now in jail for killing, then robbing 75-year-old Donna Bott last week. They're also charged with robbing an 85-year old woman last month.

But now, police say their cowardly string of attacks is over.

Donna Bott didn't stand a chance. Maybe, maybe, she could've fought off one attacker, but if police are right, she had three.

Det. Phil Eslinger/ Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "It appears we've got three adult males picking out elderly females to victimize."

Police arrested William Irish and Rodney Renzo in Bott's death. They join Floyd Maestas in jail. He was arrested this past Wednesday.

All of them are charged with robbing and killing Botts sometime last week.

Cherilyn Stensrud was one of Botts' few friends in the Glendale community. She called police after noticing Bott's newspapers stacking up and also told them about a strange man she saw.

Cherilyn Stensrud/ Neighbor: "He sat over there and watched. And when he saw me looking at him, he drove away."

It turns out that man was Maestas. When we showed Stensrud pictures of the other two suspects, she didn't remember seeing them but couldn't believe they were just 19 years old.

The three men are also charged with breaking into Virginia Chamberlain's home last month and robbing her.

Virginia Chamberlain/ Robbery Victim/ September 29: "He kept saying, 'Pull your shirt up. Pull your shirt up.' He says, 'Where's your money? Where's your purse?' I said, 'Right there on the table.'"

The robbers took her money, but left her alive ...not the same fate for Donna Bott.

But after these arrests, neighbors say they feel safer.

Cherilyn Stensrud/ Neighbor: "The detective said we don't have to be afraid anymore."

Chamberlain just returned home today. She's been staying elsewhere, too scared to live in her own home, worried the robbers might come back.

But now police say that won't happen because they believe the robbers are in jail.

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