Notorious habitual offender found guilty

Notorious habitual offender Ramon Cabrera Blas was found guilty yesterday of all charges for burglarizing an apartment complex in San Vicente and stealing a couple’s jewelry, money, and other items last year.

After deliberating for less than an hour, the six jurors found Blas guilty of burglary and theft.

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, who presided over the jury trial, also found Blas guilty of criminal mischief and disturbing the peace.

Blas will be sentenced on Dec. 22, 2015, at 9am.

Kim-Tenorio said the female victim testified that she was inside her apartment unit when she noticed a man, later identified as Blas, on the balcony of her house, who then walked toward their sliding door in the afternoon of Aug. 21, 2014. The victim stated she was so scared she told Blas twice to leave, but he refused to do so.

Assistant public defender Michael Sato and Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig refused to issue any comment after the hearing.

Acting chief prosecutor Chester Hinds, who assisted assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas during the trial, commended Barcinas for “doing an excellent job presenting the case.”

“Burglaries are [an] epidemic in this community and we are very pleased with the jury’s decision,” Hinds said.

Barcinas said Blas faces a maximum imprisonment of 11 years for all four charges.

Considering that Blas is a habitual offender who has a long list of prior criminal convictions, Barcinas said the government will be recommending the maximum sentence.

The trial began on Monday. The prosecution called five witnesses. The defense called one witness.

The jurors began deliberations yesterday at 8:30am. At 9:15am or 9:20am, the jurors sent a note to the judge that they have reached a unanimous verdict.

The apartment complex where the couple stays is owned by retired Superior Court Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama.

Police detective Catherine Pangelinan testified about their investigation that led to the search of Blas’ house and his arrest in November 2014.

Pangelinan testified that among the items they recovered at Blas’ residence was a necklace that belonged to one of the victims.

The detective said Blas confessed committing the crimes and even led her and other investigators to the locations where he hid other stolen items.

Blas burglarized the same apartment unit on Aug. 9, 2014, and stole the couple’s jewelry, money, and other items worth $22,875, police said.

Last June, Superior Court Associate Judge David Wiseman imposed a three-year prison term on the 56-year-old Blas for violating his probation.

Wiseman noted that Blas has had a multitude of charges filed against him over a 30-year period, resulting in no less than 13 criminal convictions.