RIVERSIDE (AP) — A former San Diego police officer and his wife have been found guilty of trashing their foreclosed home in Riverside County.
A jury convicted Robert Acosta on Monday of stealing fixtures valued at greater than $65,000 when he and his wife moved out of their foreclosed home in 2010. Monique Acosta was found guilty of the same charge on Friday.
Each face up to four years in prison when they are scheduled to be sentenced July 20.
Authorities said the five-bedroom home was found badly damaged the day after the Acostas moved out. Dye was poured on carpets, counter tops were missing and graffiti sprayed on walls.
Acosta joined the San Diego Police Department in 1998 and was placed on administrative leave after his arrest. He later resigned.
Small plane crashes in
front of Glendale home
GLENDALE (AP) — A pilot was released early Tuesday from a hospital after suffering minor injuries when his single-engine plane crashed into a neighborhood, downing power lines but avoiding homes, authorities said. No one on the ground was hurt.
The Cessna 210 struck three power poles and a tree about 8:30 p.m. Monday before slamming into the ground. The aircraft was upside down in front of a home in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale. No homes were damaged.
The pilot, whose name wasn't immediately released, managed to free himself from the twisted wreckage and suffered some arm and shoulder bruising, police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.
The plane was coming from Phoenix and heading to Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley, authorities said. The pilot, flying alone, reported engine trouble near El Monte Airport, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.
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Sacramento man sentenced
in home explosion
SACRAMENTO (AP) — A Sacramento man convicted of setting up a gas explosion at a neighbor's home that injured four firefighters has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
A judge sentenced 46-year-old Robert Durst on Tuesday. Authorities say Durst turned a gas valve at his neighbor's home on and left a slow-burning candle inside, causing it to explode on July 5, 2010 when firefighters broke down the front door. The firefighters were responding to a gas leak.
Three of the four injured firefighters suffered major injuries.
Authorities say Durst was in a billing dispute with his neighbor over some plumbing work he had done at the residence. A jury found him guilty last month of arson and two theft-related charges in connection with items stolen from the house that blew up
Man convicted of
assaulting teen
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A Sacramento jury has convicted a man of sexual assault following the testimony of a teenager who was held in juvenile hall for nearly a month to ensure her appearance in court.
A Sacramento County Superior Court jury found 37 year-old Frank William Rackley Sr. guilty Monday of raping the teen and another victim, both of whom had been working as prostitutes.
The judge took the unusual step of detaining the 17-year-old foster child for 27 days because she has a history of running away. Her testimony was believed to be vital evidence against a man prosecutors said was a serial rapist.
Rackley faces the possibility of life in prison under California's "three-strikes" law and is scheduled to be sentenced June 22.
