Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12/16/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Theresa Menshek - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY CONVICTS “LOOKOUT” IN BURGLARY OF ELDERLY COUPLE’S HOME

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that on December 12, 2008, Jorge Luis Vega, age 18, of Santa Rosa, was convicted by a Sonoma County jury of first degree burglary of an elderly couple’s home in Santa Rosa.

Testimony at trial established that on September 2, 2008, Vega acted as a lookout while two of his friends, Luther Duoa, age 19 and of Santa Rosa, and Gerardo Machuca, age 18 and of Santa Rosa, broke into the victims’ residence.  Unknown to the defendants, an off duty Santa Rosa Police Officer was driving through the neighborhood as the crime was occurring.  The officer watched the defendant sitting on the steps to the residence looking up and down the street, while Mr. Machuca jumped over the fence.  Arriving officers found doors to the residence forced open and two men inside with the victims’ property. 

The trial was held in front of the Honorable Renee Chouteau and took approximately two trial days.  During the trial, the 88 and 91 year old residents of the home testified that they did not know the offenders and did not give anyone permission to be in their home.  Prior to trial, Luther Duoa and Gerardo Machuca entered guilty pleas to residential burglary.  Ultimately, the jury convicted Jorge Vega for his role in assisting this crime. 

Defendant Vega will be sentenced January 13, 2009, at 9:00 am in front of the Hon. Renee Chouteau.  He faces up to six years in prison.  Vega’s co-defendants, Duoa and Machuca, face up to 4 years in prison due to earlier plea agreements.

The case was investigated by the Santa Rosa Police Department, led by Detective Brett Siwy.  Deputy District Attorney Troye Shaffer handled the prosecution, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Ken Pistorio and Denise Urton.