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Massive police search for Valencia Park home invasion robbers

Police search for several armed suspects involved in a home invasion Thursday morning.

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) - A man is behind bars Friday morning after police found him in a car stolen during a violent home-invasion robbery in Valencia Park, but another man and woman in that car were able to escape. 

The robbery and assault early Thursday morning left the victim pistol-whipped and beaten unconscious, apparently by a group of masked men looking for the victim's stepson. The group was armed with a gun, baseball bat and golf clubs. They left the victim's home in his wife's Lexus sedan. 

Police spotted that car later in the day and gave chase, but two of the three people inside were able to escape.

The incident began around 3:30 in Valencia Park on Thursday at the 5200 block of Cervantes Avenue and Bonita Road.

"The resident was sleeping inside his house, he heard a commotion out front. He opened his front door where he was confronted by four masked suspects armed with various weapons. One had a gun, one had a baseball bat and a couple of them had golf clubs," Lt. Eric Hays, San Diego Police said.

A neighbor called 911 to report the attack, which robbery detectives are still investigating, San Diego police officer Tony Martinez said. Some items, including possibly a safe, were stolen.

Police say the suspects forced their way into the home and repeatedly asked the homeowner if his 19-year-old stepson was home, when he told them he wasn't home they pistol whipped him.

The suspects demanded the victim's car keys and fled in his vehicle, which is a black 2000 Lexus with the license plate 7NQP954. Lt. Hays said. It's unclear if they stole anything from the home before fleeing in the stolen Lexus. The homeowner told police that the Lexus had a 9 mm handgun inside the glove compartment.

The victim was taken to a hospital where robbery detectives interviewed him and learned the details of the assault, Hays said. He was being treated at the hospital for injuries to his head and face.

Police say the suspects were wearing dark clothing with bandanas and are armed and dangerous. Police say to call 911 if you have useful information. 

Watch Live: Chopper 8 over police search at Home and Euclid Avenues in possible connection to home invasion in Valencia Park. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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