Report: Santa Barbara Police Arrest Suspect in Connection to Alleged Late-Night Burglary
According to a report from Noozhawk.com, a suspect has been arrested in connection with an attempted burglary of a Santa Barbara business. A spokesperson for law enforcement told reporters that the as-of-yet unidentified suspect may be connected with other burglaries in Santa Barbara County, including in Goleta. Our Santa Barbara burglary and robbery crimes defense attorney discusses the allegations and provides an overview of burglary charges in general.
Man Arrested Attempting to Burglarize Business in Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Police Department confirms that an arrest in a burglary was made in the east side section of the city during the early morning hours of September 9th, 2021. A suspect was apprehended and arrested near the 600 block of Milpas Street. According to a representative of the police department, the man in question was attempting to cut a hole in the roof of Joyeria Latina Americana—a Santa Barbara-based jewelry store. While the suspect's name was not released and only limited other information was provided, police did confirm that they are actively investigating a possible link between this case and other recent burglaries in Santa Barbara and Goleta.
An Overview of Burglary Charges in California
Burglary is a serious criminal offense in California. Under California Penal Code § 459, burglary occurs when an individual enters an enclosed place “with intent to commit grand or petit larceny or any felony is guilty of burglary.” A defendant could face burglary charges for entering a home, business, other building, or even a storage unit. Though a crime against property, a burglary charge can carry severe criminal penalties. There are two categories of burglaries in California:
First Degree Burglary: A first degree burglary is essentially a residential burglary. If a defendant enter's someone's residence—whether or not they are actually home at the time of the incident—they can face first degree burglary charges. A first degree burglary is always a felony offense.
Second Degree Burglary: A second degree burglary is also sometimes called a commercial burglary. It occurs when the crime is committed against a building/structure that is not a person's place of residence. This offense is sometimes called a “wobbler” in California—a second degree burglary could be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor based on the specific circumstances.
The criminal penalties for a burglary charge vary based on several factors, including whether it is a first degree offense or second degree offense. Notably, the maximum sentence for a felony first degree burglary in Santa Barbara is eight years in state prison.
Contact Our Santa Barbara, CA Burglary Defense Lawyer Today
At Andrade Law Offices, our Santa Barbara burglary defense lawyer has an excellent track record of success. If you or someone you know was arrested on burglary charges, we will protect your legal rights. Give us a call now or connect with us directly online for a completely private case review. We provide criminal defense representation throughout Santa Barbara County, including in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang, Guadeloupe, and Buellton.