January 24, 2019 | Theft & Property Crimes
Deputies with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department could not explain the motivations of a California woman who they arrested after she allegedly entered a home in Woodside and stole a phone. The man living at the residence said that she took his phone and then used it to live-stream her comments as she wondered around his property.
Authorities took the woman into custody after she went in the backyard and the man locked the door so that he could call police. The 26-year-old woman from East Palo Alto apparently used the stolen phone to connect with a social media account.
A detective told a local television station that she was using social media to invite her friends to come to the house for a party. According to a newspaper report, the woman also stripped down to her underwear while live-streaming an incoherent rant.
An arrest for home intrusion can lead to serious consequences. A person in that situation might want the services of a lawyer. Legal representation might help the person obtain release until a scheduled court appearance. A lawyer with experience in defending property crimes could explain the meaning of the charges and what the penalties might be. This information could allow a client to understand the potential consequences prior to entering a plea. If a case does not appear likely to succeed at trial, a lawyer might try to negotiate a plea deal that could result in a reduced penalty in exchange for a plea of guilty to a lesser charge.
Source: The Sacremento Bee, “Woman breaks into a house, steals a phone and strips while live-streaming, Calif. cops say”, Don Sweeney, Jan. 21, 2019