A 40-year-old convicted robber and car thief was charged Friday with flashing passing motorists and victims of a car break-in in Santa Ana.
Mauricio Barrera Zavala was charged with a felony count of second-degree burglary and two counts of indecent exposure, both misdemeanors.
Zavala pleaded not guilty and was ordered to return to court Oct. 1 for a pretrial hearing.
Zavala was standing on a corner at 18th and Bush Streets about 9 a.m., Wednesday, “swearing at passing cars and throwing shoes at them,” said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
Zavala was also accused of exposing himself to the motorists, Bertagna said.
A man who heard his car alarm go off went to investigate and confronted the suspect, who had broken into the vehicle and was taking the victim’s wallet, Bertagna said. When the victim told the suspect to put the wallet back, he responded by saying, “Give me your car or…” perform a sex act on him, Bertagna said.
Zavala pleaded guilty in August 2003 to two counts of robbery, a count of car theft and a count of street terrorism, all felonies. He also admitted sentencing enhancements for gang activity.
He was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.
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