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. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to return to court Oct. 1 for a pretrial hearing.
While standing on a corner at 18th and Bush Streets about 9 a.m., Wednesday, Zavala was seen “swearing at passing cars and throwing shoes at them,” as well as exposing himself to the motorists, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna alleged.
A man who heard his car alarm go off went to investigate and confronted the suspect, who had allegedly 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 ordering the man to “give me your car or” perform a sex act on him, Bertagna alleged.
Court records show Zavala pleaded guilty in August 2003 to two counts of robbery and one count each of car theft and street terrorism, all felonies. He also admitted sentencing enhancements for gang activity and was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison.
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