MAN TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR BURGLARIZING OVER 30 HOMES OF FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT HE FOUND THROUGH INSTAGRAM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (RealEstateRama) — A man is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow on charges of committing burglaries of over 30 homes of female college students that he found by using Instagram. Arturo Galvan, 44, Menifee, is charged with 33 felony counts of first degree residential burglary, one felony count of attempted first degree residential burglary, one misdemeanor count of resisting and obstructing an officer, one misdemeanor count of vandalism under $400, and sentencing enhancement allegation for non-accomplice present during a residential burglary. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years in state prison. He is scheduled for pre-trial tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On 33 occasions between May 22, 2014, and Dec. 3, 2015, Galvan is accused of entering the homes of female college students in Orange and Fullerton, who primarily belonged to sororities at Chapman University and California State University, Fullerton. The defendant is accused of locating the victims’ residences through their GPS locations using their photographs posted on the social media website Instagram. He is accused of entering the victims’ homes during the late afternoon or evening hours when they were away and on some occasions he is accused of entering their residence in the evening while the victims were still home. Galvan is accused of stealing various items including women’s underwear and clothing, personal photos and planners, jewelry, laptops, and tablet devices.

On Dec. 3, 2015, Galvan is accused of looking through a window at a residence in Fullerton. A nearby Fullerton Police Department (FPD) officer patrolling the neighborhood attempted to contact the defendant. Galvan is accused of running away from the officer. At approximately 11:00 p.m. that evening, FPD located the defendant and arrested him as the defendant was entering a car. FPD and the Orange Police Department investigated this case.

Deputy District Attorney Denise Hernandez of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.