Springfield, Illinois – Two men were arrested and charged in connection with a home invasion after being located.

According to the Springfield Police, they were dispatched on December 29, 2023, to the 1200 block of S. 13th St. for an active home invasion. When officers arrived, the suspects had already left in a tan pick-up truck. One of the victims at the scene had a large cut on the back of his head, resulting from being struck multiple times with a pistol. He was then transported to Memorial Medical Center for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

A description of the vehicle was provided, and two of the three suspects were identified as Victor T. Bobo, age 49, and Manuel Rios, age 56. The suspect vehicle was later found at Circle K near 19th and North Grand, occupied by Bobo and the vehicle owner, Rios.

According to the victim, who was interviewed by detectives, a friend known as Manuel had come to his residence and told him he was kicked out of his house. As they were speaking on the front porch, two subjects approached them, and one of them had a pistol. The victim said he got into a wrestling match with the armed man on the front porch. The second suspect, whom the victim identified as Bobo, had entered the house and taken the phone from a woman who had called 911. When 911 called the phone back, Bobo took the phone and claimed they did not need help.

The victim continued in his statement, saying that Bobo told the woman to get on the ground, pulled her down, making her lay on her face, and it was believed that Bobo had a firearm. Bobo then removed the woman’s wallet from her purse and threw it on the living room floor. The report noted that the woman’s phone was taken and later found in the 1100 block of S. 13th St.

Rios left the porch, got into his truck, and the armed suspect, along with Bobo, fled the scene. The victim said Rios circled the block and picked up the other two suspects before fleeing the area.

According to the police, they were able to obtain video surveillance from the front porch, and it corroborated much of the victims’ statements. “It showed Rios speaking with the victim on the front porch. It appears Rios is looking to the corner of the residence, then moves as to draw the victims’ attention away from the two other suspects. Rios leaves the porch and walks towards his truck. It showed both suspects fighting with the victim and clearly shows the unidentified male carrying a firearm. He racks the slide of the firearm, which dislodged multiple bullets from the gun. The bullets were later recovered by officers on the scene. The unidentified male remains in the doorway of the residence, looking out the front door. Both Bobo and the unidentified suspects enter the home. Bobo pulls the victim by the arm into the home to prevent him from leaving the scene. Both suspects eventually flee northbound on foot from the residence.”

Detectives spoke with Bobo, and he admitted to being at the home invasion. He stated he was riding with Rios and another man that goes by the name “Charlie.” Bobo said Rios was going to the victim’s house to buy some cocaine. When they got to the house, Rios got out of the truck and went to the front porch, where he was speaking to the victim. While still in the truck, Charlie told him to come with him. That’s when they exited the truck and walked toward the house. Bobo told detectives that Charlie pulled out a gun and ran onto the porch. Bobo said he followed him and was told to handle the female in the house. Bobo, who was seen on camera holding what appears to be a female’s wallet, said that he had the wallet but did not get anything from it and threw it on the ground. Detectives reported that video confirmed that statement. Bobo said he went onto the porch where Charlie was on the ground struggling with the victim and tried to break them up. Detectives noted that Charlie can be seen on video striking the victim multiple times in the head with a gun.

At this time, Bobo and Rios were both arrested and taken to the Sangamon County Jail. They have both been charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Armed Robbery, a class X felony, and Theft, a class 3 felony.

At the time of publishing, there were no updates on the other suspect Charlie.

Stay tuned for updates on this story.