Santa Ana, Orange County - A 52-year-old man was arrested for grand theft on Monday morning by Santa Ana Police after breaking into a metal fabrication company and attempting to steal metal.
According to Santa Ana Police the man, identified as John Armitage, and an accomplice, allegedly stole, "a special kind of metal that contains a lot of nickel that sells high on the open market." Police have suspected the man and his accomplice in a series of metal burglaries.
Police tracked down the suspect at a reported known hideout and arrested Armitage and have charged him with grand theft.
According to an Orange County criminal attorney, "Grand theft" under California Penal Code 487 PC is defined as the unlawful taking of another's property valued above $950. If the property value is $950 or less, generally only a Penal Code 484 Petty Theft can be charged.
Our Orange County defense attorney says Grand Theft is a "wobbler," which means, depending on the circumstances of Armitage's case and criminal history, the charge may be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Known Santa Ana defense attorney says if Armitage is convicted of grand theft as a misdemeanor, he could face up to one year in Orange County Jail. If convicted of grand theft felony, he could face 16 months, or two or three years in a California State Prison.
A Southern California defense attorney says that in addition to being charged with grand theft, under California Penal Code 487 PC the district attorney could add on a variety of other charges including, burglary, robbery, forgery, petty theft and receiving stolen property, among other potential charges, which could add on additional jail time if convicted.
The district attorney, according to a Garden Grove criminal defense attorney, could charge Armitage in other grand theft cases, however one defense attorney has successfully worked in the past to have multiple offenses consolidated into one charge.
The suspect in this case is allegedly being tied to other reported robberies, however a known Southern California criminal defense attorney says if authorities are pressuring Armitage to admit to other crimes he should just keep quiet as he has a right not to talk, and the right to an attorney present during interrogation.
A Santa Ana grand theft criminal defense attorney says the prosecution must show the intent to steal was always present, without it there is no grand theft charge.
So, how can a Santa Ana grand theft criminal defense attorney or an Orange County criminal lawyer help you defend charges of grand theft?
At the Law Office of Michael Guisti our experienced Santa Ana criminal defense attorney has spent years defending defendant's complex grand theft crime charges, as there is a wide variety of defenses Michael Guisti could present on your behalf. We have represented defendants all over Southern California; including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Irvine, Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Fullerton, and Garden Grove.
If you or a loved one is facing a California grand theft charge, or need professional licensing defense or any other misdemeanor or felony charge including assault, battery, domestic violence, DUI, drug charges or a theft crime charge call our office today. Contact our skilled Orange County criminal attorney toll free today for a free consultation at 1-888-478-8999 or visit our website at www.topcalifornialawyer.com.
We'll help you get through this.
