LAKE HAVASU CITY — A transient who broke into a garage in Lake Havasu City avoided a prison term when placed on probation during his December 1 sentencing hearing in Mohave County Superior Court in Kingman. Jeremy Anderson, 28, is convicted of a charge reduced to attempted burglary in a plea agreement dismissing other criminal offenses.
Authorites have said that the homeowner was out of town and called Lake Havasu police at 1:20 a.m. on September 6 to report that her video surveillance system revealed that a man wearing a headlamp entered the backyard of her property at 475 Highland drive. The surveillance feed was subsequently disabled by the intruder.
A prosecutor and police report indicate that arriving officers observed what appeared to be flashlight movement in the garage and signs of rear door damage to gain access. Anderson was arrested as he exited the garage and tools commonly used in burglaries were located on scene.
Defense attorney Emily Weiss argued that Anderson’s issues are drug related, and that he needs treatment rather than prison. Deputy county attorney Rod Gilleo countered that incarceration is warranted, given the high level of danger associated with overnight break-ins when perpetrators have no idea whether anyone is home.
Judge Jantzen agreed.
“I hope you recognize the severity of this event,” Jantzen told Anderson. “The gravity of this offense is not lost on the court.”
Jantzen placed Anderson on probation for three years and encouraged him to better himself through drug counseling. Jantzen imposed a 150-day jail term, crediting Anderson with 87 days already spent in custody.
