3 ‘Grinches’ convicted of stealing gifts By SILVIO J. PANTA, Staff Writer
Friday, December 14, 2007 11:04 PM PST
JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO
FROM LEFT: Robert Barra, Steven Ambriz and Daniel Gaxiola listen during their sentencing Thursday at the Brawley courthouse. The trio robbed Rick and Lori Young of Brawley while the couple slept on Christmas Eve 2006.
JOSELITO VILLERO FILE PHOTO
Rick and Lori Young stand by a kitchen island in their Brawley home.
BRAWLEY — As three convicted burglars were led out of the Brawley courtroom Thursday, Rick and Lori Young were relieved the worst part was over.
Having had their gifts — along with their sport-utility vehicle — stolen from their Brawley home as they and their son slept last Christmas Eve, the Youngs were happy they had not confronted Robert Barra, Daniel Gaxiola and Steven Ambriz.
Nearly one year later, Barra, Gaxiola and Ambriz all pleaded guilty to first-degree residential burglary.
The defendants asked for probation, but a judge instead sentenced Barra, 26, and Ambriz, 20, to four years in state prison. Gaxiola, 20, who had violated his probation in Washington state, was the only defendant who was sentenced to probation.
What was especially jarring was that a guilty verdict was set aside because the judge had failed to inform the attorneys in the case about an answer given to the jurors’ questions during their deliberations, said Imperial County Deputy District Attorney Marco Nunez.
The technicality called for a new trial, but the defendants pleaded out, the Youngs explained.
The fear the Youngs still feel compels them to set their alarm system every night and to secure their doors thoroughly.
The family lost in excess of $4,500 in gifts that night last year. That didn’t include the $17,000 they paid to replace the Lincoln Navigator that was stolen.
The family SUV was tracked by the California Highway Patrol near Yuma. A car chase followed as the SUV was spotted going west near Winterhaven. All three defendants were arrested after being stopped by Highway Patrol authorities in Holtville. The vehicle was destroyed.
“I keep a handgun handy,” Rick said.
“It’s just a sad thing to happen to you,” said Lori Young before Rick interjected, “And now you have an anniversary date that you’re never going to get rid of.”
To avoid residential burglary, El Centro police Sgt. Jeff Mason urges residents to leave their lights or a radio on while leaving home.
Dark shadowy corners often provide burglars with a place to hide, so external lights are recommended, Mason said.
Newspapers left accumulating at the front door, as well as mail, are clues to prowlers that no one is home, Mason said.
That’s why arrangements should by made to temporarily have mail held at the post office or stop home delivery of a newspaper for a short time, he said.
Having watchful neighbors who would alert authorities about any suspicious activity is especially helpful, the sergeant said.
“That’s one of best things is to have watchful neighbors,” Mason said.
Using deadbolts on front doors and lock on gates all help in keeping prowlers out, he said.
Alarm systems always discourage burglars and stickers showing burglar alarm systems should be displayed, Mason said.
“You might as well put it to use,” he said.
Calexico police Sgt. Gonzalo Gerardo cautions residents not to keep gifts visible inside their homes, especially in front of a window.
In the past, burglars would commit what Gerardo called a “smash and grab” theft at a home upon seeing gifts inside a home.
While Calexico police have not seen a big increase in holiday-related crimes or burglaries, Gerardo urges all residents to take precautions in securing their homes.
Even modest homes and vehicles can be burglars’ targets, said Brawley police Sgt. Perry Monita.
Sometimes felons have broken into cars in the past, Monita said.
“They just like to go into vehicles and do that sort of thing,” he said. “They know there’s a way how to steal cars.”
Car owners should never keep gifts visible inside their cars and instead put them inside the trunk, Monita said.
Lights should be kept on at homes and shrubs or heavy foliage trimmed to eliminate places burglars could hide, he said.
“Also, we do in our city a vacation watch,” Monita said.
The Youngs didn’t mention any plans for a vacation after the two-hour sentencing hearing was over, except to say they’ve taken measures to ensure they will never go through the ordeal of having their home burglarized again.
Rick, in particular, takes every precaution these days to protect himself from people like the ones who violated his home.
“We are very cautious about our safety in our home.”
SAFETY TIPS
- Leave lights or a radio on when leaving home.
- Illuminate the yard to keep dark corners at a
minimum.
- Trim shrubs or heavy foliage to eliminate hiding places.
- Have mail held at the post office when going out of town.
- Have newspaper delivery put on hold when out of town.
- Ask neighbors to be alert to suspicious activity.
- Use deadbolts on front doors and locks on gates.
- Alarm systems and stickers alerting would-be
burglars to alarm systems can help.
- Keep gifts out of sight both inside the house and inside the car.
>> Information courtesy of local police departments.
" HEY THAT DUDE IN THE ORANGE IS MY COUSIN. YEAH YOUR RIGHT ITS GONNA BE A FAMILY REUNION. TO BAD WE MISSED IT. YOU PEOPLE TALK ALOT OF CRAP ABOUT PEOPLE YOU DONT KNOW OR YOU RUN YOUR MOUTH ON THE NET CAUSE YOUR NOT FACE TO FACE WITH THEM. YEAH ITS NOT COOL WHAT THEY DID BUT THAT MAKES YOU THE STUPID ONES. THINKING THAT YOU SOUND SO COOL OR YOU SOUND ALL BAD. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT BUBBA IS GONNA TAKE CARE OF THEM DID HE TAKE CARE OF YOU WAKJOB, YOU IDIOTS WATCH TO MUCH OZ. THINGS LIKE THAT DONT HAPPEN IN THERE. ITS MORE LIKELY THAT YOU PEOPLE THAT RUN YOUR MOUTH ARE THE ONES THAT GET BEAT DOWN AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OFF IN THE "BIG HOUSE", AND TO SNOW BUNNY ILL HOOK YOU UP IF YOU WANT. SO AS FAR AS MY COUSIN GOES NONE OF YOU WOULD HAVE THE BALLS TO SAY WHAT YOU WRITE TO HIS FACE. I KNOW THESE DUDES I USE TO DATE ONE OF THERE SISTERS AND I WAS IN PRISON WITH ONE OF THERE BROTHERS. THINK NEXT TIME BEFORE YOU WRITE THE CRAP YOU POST "
snow bunnie! wrote on Dec 26, 2007 4:20 AM:
" the guy in the orange is so hott! and they didnt even rob the house so i dont care what anybody says. they're not snitches and they would rather do the time and get it over with then rat on other people! "
Prov3 wrote on Dec 20, 2007 1:37 PM:
" And what a fine young man she's raised him to be. "
wackjob wrote on Dec 20, 2007 11:27 AM:
" Crappy parents = Crappy children- One of these idiots' mother was dogging victims in the hall of the courthouse back during the preliminary hearings! Now "Bubba" will be dogging her "Little Mijo" in prison. "
realestate22 wrote on Dec 20, 2007 10:03 AM:
" Well I am not surprised by these young Fellows, I was somewhat of a T.A. for these kids in high school when they were freshman, and you could tell they were headed that route. They all had previous history of criminal activity. Gaxiola should have got some time I totally agree, maybe Serving x-mas dinner to his pals in Prison!! haha "
GMJ1950 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 5:11 PM:
" THE PROPERTY QUESTION ... PROTECT OR LET THE FELONS HAVE IT. WELL, ONE MAN IN TEXAS TOOK CONTROL AND TOOK TO PUNKS OFF THE STREET ... AND THE DA IS HAVING A HARD TIME DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO PROSECUTE!
THESE THREE GUYS LOOK RIPE FOR THE PRISON BOOTY BANDIT! "
Prov3 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 9:19 AM:
" Exactly, "bigdane5". Again, I think that Gaxiola should also be serving time instead of probation. The article states that he already violated his probation in another state, which is entirely another issue. So the guy, who was already on probation and violated it, gets MORE probation???? Where was the judge's head on this one? "
bigdane5 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 5:17 AM:
" These three low life idiots originally pleaded not guilty even though they were caught with the stolen goods and the stolen car.
Great job Judge and Prosecutor. As long as these misfits get their punishment you've done well. Thanks "
wikiscogg wrote on Dec 18, 2007 3:42 PM:
" I agree Prov3 I think Gaxiola should get the sames as the others. "
Prov3 wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:03 PM:
" Some of these guys don't care if they go to jail. It's like, "been there, done that". In fact, often it's like a family reunion for them because when they go to jail they get to see some of their friends. Personally, I think Gaxiola should also be doing time with his homies, not probation. "
wikiscogg wrote on Dec 18, 2007 12:13 PM:
" Yep I think when that one in the orange gets in the BIG HOUSE he will most definintely wipe that smirk off his face. Have fun in jail boys! "
gavilan wrote on Dec 18, 2007 9:00 AM:
" the one in the orange does look like whatever, just wait till he is in the big house i think his big smile will be wiped out, "
simmerdown wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:57 PM:
" Ho-ho-have fun in jail, boys! They should have given them longer time in jail. Stupid judicial system. "
einrejd wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:52 PM:
" The one in the orange looks like, "Yeah, Yeah, whatever". But what troubles me and no way siding on these "idiots" but how does someone sleep through all this especially on Christmas Eve of all days. Just like the Ramsey's when JonBenet Ramsey was murdered. "
CDJ wrote on Dec 16, 2007 3:03 PM:
" "Concealed Carry--I carry a weapon cause I can't carry a cop." unknown author. That's how it should be! The only CCW permit necessay is contained in the 2nd Amendment. Lift the gun ban and all the regs on Protection of Private Property and many Californian's would put a stop to this. Not to mention the costs associated with judges' mistakes. Not knockin the police, they can't be everywhere. Good info on precautions to take. Not a victim, think-- 'a survivor.' CDJ "
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MONSTER wrote on Feb 21, 2008 3:22 PM: