According to the Irvine Police Department, a man was arrested this morning in relation to a string of residential burglaries. In a press release today, Irvine Police said that a neighbor altered police of a suspicious vehicle, which eventually led police to make an arrest. The car contained property that linked the suspect to five residential burglaries in Newport Beach and Irvine over the past several weeks. The release indicated that the suspect waited until residents left their homes and then entered the houses through ground-level, unlocked windows.
The burglaries were also connected with two vehicle thefts. Although police found no sign of forced entry, the suspect was in possession of the keys to both cars. Among the stolen property were designer handbags, jewelry, electronics, and a solid gold watch that maybe work tens of thousands of dollars. Law enforcement officers are currently working to make sure that all of the property is returned to its rightful owners. If you have been accused of a crime in Orange County, contact Attorney Jacqueline Goodman today. As an Orange County criminal defense lawyer, she is committed to standing up for the rights of the accused in court.
At the firm, Attorney Goodman handles a wide variety of criminal case types - including theft crimes. In order to be convicted of burglary, a suspect must break into a building (or structure) with the intention of taking something that does not belong to them. Under common law, an individual doesn't necessarily need to use force to enter the structure. For example, entering a home through an unlocked door or window can still be considered "breaking and entering." In the past, breaking and entering was only considered burglary if it happened after nightfall and before sunrise.
Today, most jurisdictions do not require the crime to happen at night.
