California Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

After a neighbor noticed suspicious activity at a neighbor's house, police were called regarding a possible burglary. The Westminster Police arrived just as a car with four suspects in it drove off. The police officers chased the car, which ended up crashing into a brick wall. Three suspects were caught and arrested on suspicion of burglary. Westminster Police are still looking for the fourth suspect.

A charge of burglary can be filed as a misdemeanor burglary or felony burglary depending upon the circumstance of the burglary and the criminal history of the person being charged with burglary. A conviction of felony burglary can result in up to 6 years in California State Prison.

Possible defenses to burglary are consent, lack of intent or intoxication. If the suspect's attorney can show that his client was so intoxicated he could not form the intent to steal prior to entry into the house, the defendant may be acquitted.

Any person who is being charged with the crime of burglary in Orange County California needs an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney. A good Orange County criminal defense attorney will be able to achieve the best possible outcome for someone being charged with burglary, whether in Westminster, Irvine, Tustin, Newport Beach or Santa Ana.

Continue reading "Westminster attempted burglary ends in 3 suspects being arrested on suspicion of burglary." »

The crimes seemed simple. A person would buy something from the Apple store at the Mission Viejo Mall, or maybe at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, or at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California. A thief would break into the car after the owner left to do other shopping, and get away with new computer equipment.

But detectives began to notice a pattern based upon the type of items stolen, particularly the desirable Apple products. They set up a sting after Christmas in Mission Viejo, where eight similar burglaries had been reported. Authorities said three men followed an undercover Sheriff's deputy after he bought a printer and computer and broke into his car after he drove off, parked and shopped elsewhere.

The detectives from three counties, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles, are sharing the information in hopes of capturing others believed to be associated with the ring. Shoppers often have to leave their purchases in their cars because they cannot take them with them which makes them easy targets.

Burglary is serious but the scale and number of the crimes makes it an even more serious situation. They will get jail time for their crimes. Whether you live in Tustin, Aliso Viejo or Brea, if you are charged with burglary, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading "Irvine, Sheriff Probe Apple Computer Thefts in Orange County" »

In the last few months, many of the surfers in Huntington Beach had been complaining that their cars were being broken into and things were being stolen as they surfed. These burglars were apparently stealing cash, IPODs and other valuables and using the stolen credit cards,. Police decided to stakeout the beach and see who was burglarizing the cars. Police observed Nathan Pater taking the surfer's keys from either on the sand or underneath the tires of the cars. Pater would then unlock the car, take valuable items and then put the keys back where he found them. Police also observed Amber Marie Hitz drive by and pick Pater up. They were both arrested for suspicion of burglary, fraudulent use of credit cards and conspiracy.

Surfers often have to hide their keys because they cannot take them into the water with them which makes them easy targets. These burglars took advantage of the surfers and now will have to suffer the consequences. Burglary is serious but fraudulently using credit cards makes it an even more serious crime. They will likely get jail time and probation for their crimes. Whether you live in Tustin, Aliso Viejo or Brea, if you are charged with burglary, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading "Huntington Beach Burglars Caught Stealing Surfer's Belongings " »

Around 6 people have been arrested for a string of burglaries that they allegedly committed in ritzy Hollywood neighborhoods over the past year. The masterminds behind the operation were apparently four girls who wanted the clothing and jewelry that celebrities had. Apparently, Rachel Lee, Diana Tamayo, Courtney Ames and Alexis Neiers, all friends from Indian Hills High School, studied celebrities and their belongings that appeared on award shows, magazines and TV shows and then would case the celebrities home to learn who lived there and when the celebrity would be gone. They then broke into the home of Paris Hilton, Audrina Patridge, Lindsay Lohan and many other celebrities to steal their name brand clothing and high-priced jewelry. These girls were caught because surveillance videos caught a glimpse Nick Purgo, a friend of theirs, robbing a home. He was immediately caught and his computer turned up pictures of stolen merchandise and the girls who assisted in these burglaries.

These days, the media has been focusing heavily on the lavish life of celebrities and all of their amazing clothing, shoes, jewelry etc. Young impressionable teenagers see all of these items and know they cannot afford them. Most teenagers would get over the fact that they could not afford these luxury items, but these teenagers thought it would be better to break into celebrity homes, steal valuables and then wear them and show them off to their classmates. All of these suspects will likely be charged with many counts of felony burglary and are looking at serious prison time. Whether you live in Ladera Ranch, Tustin or Anaheim Hills, if you are charged with burglary, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading "Teenagers Arrested on Suspicion of Breaking Into Celebrity Homes" »

Dan Berrey Harkey was arrested this week for breaking into two lockers at a 24-Hour Fitness gym in Irvine. He attempted to rummage through a third locker, but a witness confronted Harkey, so he took off with the cash that he had found in the other two lockers, about $180. He got away before police arrived, but witnesses had seen his license plate. After investigators found out where Harkey lived, they arrested him on suspicion of burglary and possession of burglary tools. He was using bolt cutters and a pry bar to break into the lockers.

Burglary is the entering of a structure with the intent to commit a felony. Here, since Harkey brought burglary tools into the gym, it is clear that he had the intent to commit a burglary. If Harkey is convicted of this burglary charge, it can count as a strike on his criminal record. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Mission Viejo or Anaheim, if you are charged with burglary, call an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading "Irvine Gym Lockers Burglarized by California Man" »

Ronaldo Celedon Vicente was convicted this week of first degree residential burglary, attempted rape and assault with intent to commit rape. In 2008, Vicente, an unemployed laborer, saw a path of empty beer cans and Cheetos in the front yard of an Anaheim home. He followed the trail and it led him to an open window on the side of the house. Inside, he saw a half naked woman and thought she wanted to have sex with him. He crawled through the window and was about to have sex with the woman, when her husband woke up and yelled. The husband and wife then beat up the intruder and held him until police came and arrested him.

Vicente's defense was that he was so severely intoxicated that he did not know what he was doing and therefore did not have the intent to rape her. Hours after he was arrested, police checked Vicente's blood alcohol level and it was at a .22%. The jury ruled against the defendant and convicted him of all the above charges. He may be sentenced to life in prison since this was a felony burglary and rape.

Burglary is the act of entering someone's home with the intent to commit a crime while inside. Possible defenses include the lack of intent, a mistake of fact and consent. Whether you live in Orange, Brea or Santa Ana, if you are charged with burglary or rape, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away.

Continue reading "California Man Convicted of Attempted Rape of Woman Sleeping by Husband" »

Kelly Christine Alaniz, a bus driver for Sage Hill School in Newport Coast, has been arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary. Allegedly, Alaniz was in the girl's locker room when an employee saw her looking through someone's purse. The students who play sports often leave their purses and personal belongings in the locker room during practice or games. The employee reported what they witnessed Alaniz doing and an investigation started. Police found out that earlier in that week, another student had reported that $150 had gone missing from her purse that she left in the locker room. The crime is still being investigated and she has not yet been charged.

Commercial burglary usually involves the theft of items inside of a non-residential building. The prosecution must prove that the person came into the building with the intent to commit the crime. If the value of the item stolen is less than $400, it is normally treated as a misdemeanor charge. Whether you live in Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch or Yorba Linda, if you are charged with burglary, call an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading "Newport Beach Bus Driver Accused of Commercial Burglary" »