3 Arrested after Home Invasion Robbery

The victims believed that one of the males was Cory their neighbor. Deputies made contact with the neighbor, Cory Redding and friends Dillon Smith and Jacob Sandoval.  Detectives responded to assist with the investigation and after interviews all three males confessed to their part in the robbery of the two elderly females. During the interviews detectives learned that Cory Redding and Jacob Sandoval entered the victim’s home armed with an airsoft gun and metal baton while Dillon Smith stayed outside to be a lookout in case police were called.

From the San Juan County Sheriffs Office:

On April 10, 2016, deputies responded to the 700 block of County Road 6100 in reference to a home invasion. The victims reported that two males entered their home through the back door armed with a gun. One victim who was wheel chair bound stated that one male cycled a fire arm then pointed it at her demanding money. The two males took turns rummaging through the house looking for goods. At one point they forced an 81 year-old lady to lie face down on the bed so she couldn’t call the police before they left.

The victims believed that one of the males was Cory their neighbor. Deputies made contact with the neighbor, Cory Redding and friends Dillon Smith and Jacob Sandoval. 
Detectives responded to assist with the investigation and after interviews all three males confessed to their part in the robbery of the two elderly females.

During the interviews detectives learned that Cory Redding and Jacob Sandoval entered the victim’s home armed with an airsoft gun and metal baton while Dillon Smith stayed outside to be a lookout in case police were called.

A search warrant was served at the suspect’s house where all the money and jewelry that was stolen was recovered and returned to the victims.

19 year-old, Cory Redding of Fruitland, NM, was charged with Armed robbery (2nd Degree)(with the use of a firearm, Tampering with Evidence (highest crime committed is a 2nd degree felony)(3rd Degree) and False imprisonment (4th Degree) he was booked into San Juan County Detention Center and is being held on $40,000.00 cash/surety bond.

18 year-old, Jacob Sandoval of Fruitland, NM, was charged with Accessory to commit armed robbery (2nd Degree)(with the use of a firearm) and Tampering with Evidence (highest crime committed is a 2nd degree felony)(3rd Degree) he was booked into San Juan County Detention Center and is being held on $30,000.00 cash/surety bond.

18 year-old, Dillon Smith of Fruitland, NM, was charged with Accessory to commit armed robbery (2nd Degree)(with the use of a firearm) he was booked into San Juan County Detention Center and is being held on $20,000.00 cash/surety bond.

More from Local News

  • Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

    The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.

  • Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

    According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.

  • Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

    It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.

  • Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

    As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.

  • Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

    Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly.  At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.

  • Candidates File for Municipal Elections

    Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 82°F | Low: 57°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 77°F | Low: 48°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 82°F | Low: 57°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny

    High: 81°F | Low: 55°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Thundery shower

    High: 68°F | Low: 48°F