A convicted felon who committed multiple burglaries at the same Banning retail outlet, stealing several thousand dollars’ worth of clothes, pleaded guilty Tuesday to grand theft and was immediately sentenced to two years in Riverside County jail.
Jose Alberto Hernandez, 29, of Banning admitted the felony count under a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admission, prosecutors dropped five related counts against Hernandez.
During a hearing at the Banning Justice Center Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Jay Kiel certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the stipulated sentence.
Hernandez perpetrated three break-ins last year at the Boot Barn at 300 S. Highland Springs Ave. They occurred on May 26, June 4 and July 9, according to court records.
Banning Police Department Lt. Brandon Smith said the burglaries all occurred after the store had closed, and the same items were targeted, which court papers identified as dozens of pairs of Levi’s blue jeans and Carhartt brand shirts and related articles.
It was unclear whether Hernandez was selling the stolen goods.
Smith said detectives and loss prevention investigators from Boot Barn’s corporate office “worked closely” to scrutinize security video camera recordings and gather other clues to identify Hernandez. On July 30, search warrants were obtained and served at properties on Theodore Street and San Andreas Road, where “investigators located several jeans and a firearm,” the lieutenant said.
Hernandez was taken into custody without incident at the San Andreas Road residence.
Court documents show he has documented prior convictions for grand theft, shoplifting, vandalism and harassment by telephone.
A Banning woman was arrested a week after Hernandez, accused of conspiring with him. However, she was never charged in connection with the case.