Man Charged with Stalking, Burglary, Attempted Arson in Whittier
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Joshua David Diaz (dob 7/21/86) of Azusa has been charged in case VA139067 with first-degree burglary, person present; attempted arson of an inhabited structure or property; stalking and two counts of disobeying domestic relations court order.
Additionally, the felony complaint alleges the defendant was previously convicted of grand theft from the person of another in 2014.
Diaz is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Department 6 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Downey Branch. Prosecutors will ask his bail be set at $260,000.
Prosecutors said at the time of the alleged crime, Diaz and the female victim had been broken up for about a year. In that time, the victim filed a restraining order against the defendant.
On April 25, Diaz reportedly went to the victim’s home in violation of the restraining order, tapped on her window and told the victim he loved her.
Less than two weeks later on May 6, Diaz allegedly returned to the victim’s home and broke in through a bedroom window. The defendant reportedly armed himself with a knife and told the victim he was going to kill himself, prosecutors said.
The victim ran out of the home and called law enforcement. By the time sheriff deputies arrived at the location, Diaz was no longer in the area, prosecutors added.
Several hours later, the victim allegedly saw Diaz in her driveway pouring liquid on her car and air conditioning unit and then trying to light them on fire, prosecutors said.
The victim called authorities again, who subsequently arrived and arrested Diaz in connection with the incident.
If convicted as charged, Diaz faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 11 years in state prison.
The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
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Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of crime and enhancing public safety. Last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted more than 71,000 felony defendants and nearly 112,000 misdemeanor defendants.
Contact:
Sarah Ardalani, Public Information Officer
(213) 974-3525
SArdalani (at) da.lacounty (dot) gov
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