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Couple admits to felonies in vehicle burglaries

by Kurt Hildebrand
khildebrand@recordcourier.com

A California couple admitted Monday to felony charges related to smash and grab vehicle burglaries that occurred in Carson Valley during October.

Jacob Donovan, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, while Lisa Vantine, 32, admitted to being a principal to burglary.

The Chico, Calif., couple face up to a decade each in prison and a $10,000 fine on the charges, though they could receive suspended sentences.



The couple was arrested on Oct. 16 after a vehicle resembling one in the burglaries was spotted in Pine View Estates.

Prosecutor Rick Caspar said he intended to show that Donovan had been convicted of a prior felony burglary, which would make him ineligible for probation.



Donovan’s attorney, Derrick Lopez, said he didn’t believe there was a prior conviction for burglary.

District Judge Michael Gibbons ordered them to appear for sentencing on Jan. 12.

He also denied a request from each of them for release on their own recognizance.

Attorney Kris Brown, representing Vantine, said that her client is pregnant and would stay with family in the area.

Caspar argued against releasing Vantine, saying she had several drug-related convictions.

Brown confirmed that the vehicle burglaries were conducted to obtain money to purchase drugs. Lopez said that his client was also stealing to support his drug habit.

“If you’re in jail, I know you’re not doing drugs,” Gibbons said.


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