Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
A career criminal pleaded not guilty Friday to charges stemming from the theft of a 13-year-old disabled boy’s $5,300 tricycle from the parking garage of a Burbank apartment complex.
Carlos Andres Lopez, 47, of Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count each of first-degree residential burglary, grand theft of personal property exceeding $950 and second-degree vehicular burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The criminal complaint alleges Lopez has prior convictions in nine cases between 1991 and 2011 for offenses that include grand theft, first-degree residential burglary and unlawful taking of a vehicle.
The gray-and-black tricycle was taken Jan. 23 from a secured garage at 4524 Clybourn Ave., but was recovered five days later after a passer-by — who had seen news coverage of the theft — spotted the specialized “Berkel” brand, according to Burbank police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.
The tricycle was custom-made for the teen, who has cerebral palsy, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Burbank police forensic specialists lifted evidence from the tricycle, leading detectives to Lopez, the police sergeant said.
Lopez was arrested Wednesday at a scheduled meeting with his probation officer, according to Losacco.
Lopez allegedly admitted stealing the tricycle, along with a sewing machine from the bed of a pickup truck in the same parking garage, the sergeant said.
“Lopez said he was planning to sell the bike, but after hearing about and seeing the media coverage, he knew he wouldn’t be able to sell it, so he decided to dump it,” Losacco said.
Lopez has remained jailed since his arrest.
He is due back in a Burbank courtroom March 2.
Lopez could face up to 27 years and four months in state prison if convicted as charged, said the District Attorney’s Office.
— City News Service
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