El Dorado County Sheriff’s investigators are searching for up to seven people who allegedly broke into a Garden Valley home with guns.

One suspect, 20-year-old Cool resident Louis Mendicino, remains in custody on $255,000 bail. The others fled the scene after reportedly stealing several marijuana plants, according to Lt. Bryan Golmitz, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

Investigators believe that three to seven suspects entered the home on the 5900 block of Johntown Creek Road at about 11:50 p.m. Sept. 25. They reportedly assaulted resident Timothy Wells and then stole several marijuana plants from his backyard.

Wells told authorities he was growing the plants in compliance with Proposition 215 guidelines. Wells was not arrested or cited.

When deputies responded to the scene, they first saw a female who was in the home at the time of the attack. She was able to escape from the house and call for help.

Deputies then found Wells walking up the road. Golmitz said the man had several bruises and abrasion on his body, but did not seek medical treatment beyond what he received from first responders on scene.

The victims said that intruders wore dark clothes and their faces covered.

They also had guns.

Deputies found one gun and a portion of a barrel at the home.

Mendicino was found the same evening sitting in the front driver’s seat of a Jeep parked near the house that was broken in to.

Golmitz said a deputy became suspicious of the vehicle when he noticed its license plate was covered with duct tape.

Mendicino was found and arrested after investigators found processed marijuana and other items in the vehicle. Golmitz said they believe Mendicino is connected to the crime.

Golmitz said the suspects were last seen fleeing down a hill behind the victim’s home. They were reportedly headed toward Coloma.

Golmitz said investigators are actively seeking those involved in the “significant” crime.

“We’re very confident that we will have closure to this case relatively soon,” Golmitz said.

Mendicino was booked into El Dorado County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, battery, conspiracy to commit a crime and burglary.

Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.