Early on Friday morning, police officers responded to the area of W. Wanda Dr. & W. Chapman Ave. regarding a possible residential burglary, according to the Fullerton Police Department.
Turns out, three people (two adult males and one adult female) thought breaking into someone else’s home was a solid life choice. Spoiler Alert: it wasn’t.
All three suspects were taken into custody and booked for residential burglary.
Moral of the story? If you’re looking for a place to stay in Fullerton, the police we suggest a hotel… not someone else’s residence.
In California, residential burglary—also known as first-degree burglary—is treated as a serious felony offense. Here’s a summary of the penalties the three suspects in Fullerton may face:
Legal Definition
Under California Penal Code § 459 and § 460, residential burglary is defined as entering an inhabited dwelling (such as a house, apartment, or trailer) with the intent to commit theft or any felony inside.
Penalties
If convicted, the suspects could face:
- State Prison Time: 2, 4, or 6 years in California state prison.
- Fines: Up to $10,000.
- Strike Offense: It counts as a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law, which can lead to harsher penalties for future convictions.
- Probation: In some cases, the court may grant formal probation instead of prison time, especially for first-time offenders or if mitigating circumstances exist.
Additional Consequences
- If someone was present in the home during the burglary, it may be classified as a violent felony, requiring the convicted person to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole.
- For non-U.S. citizens, a conviction may result in deportation or denial of naturalization.
- It may also affect professional licensing and future employment opportunities.