2 arrested after Prescott home invasion, guns stolen

PRESCOTT, AZ - Two men have been arrested in connection with a Prescott home invasion in which several weapons were stolen.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office identified the suspects as 18-year-old Patrick Collins and 31-year-old Jacob Cota, both of Prescott.

The 84-year-old victim told deputies that on December 22 he awoke to the sound of the hallway door being smashed open and two male suspects confronted him in his bedroom.

One of the suspects reportedly threatened to shoot the victim then both proceeded to go into his gun cabinets and take at least five firearms.

The suspects also demanded money during the robbery.

Both suspects were described as wearing hooded sweatshirts, one dark and one light-colored.

Deputies developed information during an extensive follow-up that Collins might have been involved, according to the YCSO.

Collins had been seen recently wearing a red hooded sweatshirt in downtown Prescott, similar to the one described by the victim, and Prescott police officers told YCSO deputies that the victim's stolen guns found behind a Prescott business had been wrapped in a red hooded sweatshirt.

Deputies later confirmed the shirt belonged to Collins.

Collins had no known address but was taken into custody on December 28 after sheriff's detectives discovered he had been detained by Prescott police officers on Whiskey Row.

Collins reportedly denied involvement in the robbery, but when confronted with physical evidence tying him to the crime he admitted his participation.

He also acknowledged that Cota was involved in the robbery.

Officials said Collins knew the victim from prior contacts and had tried to hide his identity during the robbery.

Cota was found on December 29 at his father's home and arrested. He has denied involvement in the robbery, according to the YCSO.

Both Collins and Cota were booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including robbery with a possible real/simulated weapon, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and theft.

They remain in custody on a $50,000 bond each.

Officials said all the stolen firearms were recovered.