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Naked California Burglary Suspect Arrested After He Got Stuck in Chimney

Posted by Alan Eisner | Aug 14, 2019

Naked California Burglary Suspect Arrested After He Got Stuck in Chimney
A naked man in Ladera Heights, CA, was removed from a chimney by police officers and arrested for Penal Code 459 PC burglary.

In Ladera Heights, CA, a naked man was pulled from a chimney by police officers and arrested for burglary after he attempted to burglarize a nearby home before running and hiding in the neighbor's chimney.

After he got stuck in the chimney, he began yelling “I'm not crazy,” and was making claims he was drugged and the police officers were going to murder him.

It was also reported that earlier in the day, he attempted to commit burglary on another home in Culver City, CA, but fled the scene after the homeowner confronted him.

The suspect was caught on video at the scene with a towel around his waist after police were leading him to a ladder. A witness claimed the suspect said he had been drinking and that he yelled at other people at the scene that he would never run around butt-naked.

Our California criminal defense attorneys are providing a comprehensive description of burglary charges under Penal Code Section 459 below.

Overview of California Burglary Charges PC 459

A burglary crime in California is actually two distinct offenses. There is residential burglary, also known as home invasion, such as the example above, which is commonly called a first-degree burglary. There is also a commercial burglary, which is known as a second-degree burglary.

First-degree burglary under Penal Code 459 is any burglary of a residence - while second-degree burglary is burglary of any building that is not a residence. As you can see from the names, the primary difference between these distinct offenses is the type of property you are entering in order to commit a crime.

Burglary is described under California Penal Code Section 459. The crime occurs after you enter a property with an intent to commit a theft or a felony once you are inside.

It's important to stop and make note you don't have to actually complete a theft or felony, rather that you only need to have intent to commit the crime to be charged with Penal Code 459. 

What type of locations are covered under PC 459? This statute provides a list of locations that could be entered and lead to criminal charges of burglary. They include a home, apartment, stores, and even an inhabited camper, among many others.

Intent to commit a crime is the primary “element of the crime” of burglary under Penal Code 459. The prosecutor has to be able to prove – beyond reasonable doubt – you specifically had an intent to commit theft of a felony after you illegally entered a property.

These elements of the crimes under CALCRIM 1700 Jury Instructions. 

This means that if a suspect is highly intoxicated and enters a property by mistake, but have no actual intent to commit a crime, they probably won't be convicted of burglary. Our burglary chimney suspect above just might have a valid defense to his burglary charges if he retains an experienced criminal defense attorney, but of course could be charged with other crimes.

In most burglary cases, the prosecutor will attempt to prove the critical intent element using evidence, such as possession of certain items that are commonly used to commit burglary, like a crowbar.

Penalties for Burglary -  California PC 459

If convicted of burglary under Penal Code 459, the penalties will depend of the type of charges. If convicted of first-degree residential burglary, it's a felony offense that will carry the following penalties:

If convicted of second-degree commercial burglary, it's a wobbler, meaning the case can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony crime. If convicted of a misdemeanor burglary, you will face up to one year in a Los Angeles County jail, a fine up to $1,000, and misdemeanor summary probation.

 If convicted on a felony second-degree burglary, you will face up to three years in a California state prison, a fine up to $10,000, and formal felony probation.

It's important to note that exact penalties for a Penal Code 459 burglary conviction will depend on various facts of your case. These are commonly known as mitigating and aggravating factors and include:

  • Prior burglary convictions
  • Type of property entered
  • Whether home was occupied
  • Intended crime

Additionally, California Three Strikes Law makes first-degree residential burglary a strike.

Defenses for Burglary - California PC 459

As you can see above, the penalties for a California Penal Code 459 burglary conviction can be severe and have life-changing consequences. There are a wide-range of legal defenses our experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers can argue on your case.

The most common defenses for PC 459 burglary include:

Lack of intent – As discussed above, “intent” is the critical element of the crime. In other words, if we can prove you did not intend to commit a theft or felony after you entered a property, you can't be convicted of burglary. The timing is the key. The prosecutor has to prove you had intent to commit theft at the moment you entered the location.

Mistake – In some burglary cases, we might be able to make an argument you entered the property to retrieve property that you owned, or you had a reasonable belief you had consent to take the property. Clearly, the opportunity for this defense is in limited situations. On a similar note, we might be able to argue to mistakenly or accidentally entered the property, or you were intoxicated.

False Allegation – It's not uncommon for people to get arrested by mistake. We might be able to argue you were falsely accused or the victim of mistaken identity. Perhaps you were accused from someone out of revenge or jealously, or the police conducted an incomplete investigation.

If you or a family member has been accused of burglary in violation of California Penal Code 459, call our law firm for help with the case. Our Los Angeles burglary defense lawyers will review you case and legal options.

Eisner Gorin LLP 1875 Century Park E #705 Los Angeles, CA 90067 310-328-3776

About the Author

Alan Eisner

Alan Eisner  Van Nuys, California (818) 781-1570 (818) 788-5033 Email Me  Alan Eisner has practiced criminal law for over 28 years in Los Angeles County . Mr Eisner is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. (The California State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization has designated Mr. Eisner as a...

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