Robbery and Theft Defense Attorney in Lancaster

If you’ve been arrested or charged with robbery, theft, burglary, or any property crime in Lancaster, you’re facing serious criminal charges that can result in years in state prison, substantial fines, restitution to victims, a permanent felony or misdemeanor record, and devastating consequences affecting your employment, housing, immigration status, and future opportunities. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide aggressive, experienced legal representation to defend against all robbery and theft charges throughout Lancaster and Los Angeles County.

Robbery and theft charges encompass a wide range of property crimes from petty theft and shoplifting to armed robbery, burglary, carjacking, and organized retail theft. These arrests occur throughout Lancaster at retail stores along Avenue I, shopping centers including Lancaster Marketplace, residences throughout the city’s neighborhoods, banks and businesses on Lancaster Boulevard, and on streets throughout the Antelope Valley when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies or California Highway Patrol officers respond to theft reports, witness theft in progress, or investigate robbery incidents. Many people charged with theft crimes made mistakes during difficult financial times, are falsely accused by witnesses with poor observation or bias, or face charges based on misunderstandings and circumstantial evidence. We’ve successfully defended hundreds of clients facing robbery and theft charges throughout Southern California, achieving dismissals, acquittals at trial, reduced charges from felonies to misdemeanors, favorable plea agreements, and outcomes that protect our clients’ freedom, records, and futures.

Understanding California’s Robbery and Theft Laws

California criminalizes various forms of taking another person’s property through multiple statutes with different elements, penalties, and consequences.

Petty Theft – Penal Code Section 484/488

According to California Penal Code Section 484^[1], theft is the taking of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. When the value of stolen property is $950 or less, the offense is petty theft, a misdemeanor.

Elements prosecutors must prove:

1. You took possession of property owned by someone else
2. You took the property without the owner’s consent
3. When you took the property, you intended to permanently deprive the owner of it
4. You moved the property (even a small distance) and kept it for any period of time

Penalties for Petty Theft:

• Up to 6 months in county jail
• Fine up to $1,000
• Summary probation for 1-3 years
• Restitution to victim
• Theft diversion programs in some counties

Common Petty Theft Scenarios:

• Shoplifting merchandise valued under $950 from stores at Lancaster Marketplace, Target, Walmart, or other retailers
• Taking items from vehicles
• Theft of personal property from residences
• Employee theft of cash or merchandise
• Taking packages from porches

Grand Theft – Penal Code Section 487

Grand theft under PC 487 involves taking property valued over $950, or taking specific types of property regardless of value including firearms, vehicles, or property directly from a person.

Types of Grand Theft:

• Grand Theft by Larceny – Taking and carrying away property over $950
• Grand Theft by Trick or Device – Obtaining property through fraud or deceit
• Grand Theft by Embezzlement – Fraudulent appropriation of property by someone in lawful possession
• Grand Theft by False Pretenses – Obtaining property through intentional false statements

Penalties: Grand theft is a “wobbler” offense, chargeable as misdemeanor or felony:

• Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year county jail, fine up to $1,000
• Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison, fine up to $10,000
• Formal felony probation or incarceration
• Restitution to victims

Robbery – Penal Code Sections 211-213

Robbery under PC 211 is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from their person or immediate presence, against their will, accomplished by means of force or fear. Robbery is always a felony in California and is considered a serious and violent crime under California law.

Elements of Robbery:

1. You took property that was not your own
2. The property was in the possession of another person
3. You took the property from the person’s possession or immediate presence
4. You took the property against that person’s will
5. You used force or fear to take the property or prevent resistance
6. When you used force or fear, you intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property

Types of Robbery:

First-Degree Robbery (PC 212.5(a)) – Occurs in inhabited dwelling, during use of ATM, or immediately after victim used ATM:

• 3, 4, or 6 years in state prison
• Strike under California’s Three Strikes Law
• 85% custody requirement (must serve 85% before parole eligibility)

Second-Degree Robbery – All other robberies:

• 2, 3, or 5 years in state prison
• Strike under Three Strikes Law
• 85% custody requirement

Enhancements:

• Use of firearm: Additional 10 years (PC 12022.53(b))
• Personal discharge of firearm: Additional 20 years
• Personal discharge causing death or great bodily injury: 25 years to life
• Great bodily injury: Additional 3-6 years
• Multiple victims: Additional years per victim
• Gang enhancements: Additional 10 years

Burglary – Penal Code Sections 459-460

Burglary under PC 459 is entering any building, room, or locked vehicle with intent to commit theft or any felony once inside.

First-Degree Burglary (Residential):

• Burglary of inhabited dwelling
• 2, 4, or 6 years state prison
• Strike under Three Strikes Law
• Always charged as felony

Second-Degree Burglary (Commercial):

• Burglary of commercial structures or vehicles
• Wobbler offense
• Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year jail
• Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years state prison

Auto Theft and Vehicle-Related Crimes

Grand Theft Auto (PC 487(d)(1)):

• Taking vehicle worth more than $950 without owner’s consent
• Wobbler offense
• Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years prison

Carjacking (PC 215):

• Taking vehicle from another person by force or fear
• Always felony
• 3, 5, or 9 years state prison
• Strike offense
• Enhancements for weapon use

Unlawful Taking/Driving Vehicle (VC 10851):

• Taking or driving vehicle without owner’s consent
• Wobbler offense
• Distinguished from grand theft auto by intent to permanently deprive

Receiving Stolen Property – Penal Code Section 496

PC 496 criminalizes buying, receiving, concealing, selling, or withholding property knowing it was stolen.

Penalties:

• Wobbler offense
• Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year jail
• Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years prison
• Common in pawn shop cases, fencing operations

Organized Retail Theft – Penal Code Section 490.4

PC 490.4 targets organized retail theft rings involving theft of merchandise with intent to sell, exchange, or return for value.

Penalties:

• Wobbler when value over $950
• Enhanced penalties for multiple thefts
• Restitution to retailers

According to the California Department of Justice^[2], property crimes including theft, burglary, and robbery account for significant portions of arrests throughout California, with thousands prosecuted annually in Los Angeles County.

Robbery and Theft Crimes in Lancaster and the Antelope Valley

Lancaster, with a population of approximately 173,000 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau^[3], experiences various property crimes throughout the city’s commercial districts, residential areas, and public spaces.

Common Locations for Theft and Robbery Arrests

Retail Theft at Lancaster Shopping Centers:

• Lancaster Marketplace along Avenue I
• Antelope Valley Mall
• Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and major retailers
• Convenience stores and gas stations
• Grocery stores including Vons, Stater Bros, Food 4 Less
• Pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens

Retail theft arrests occur when loss prevention personnel observe suspected shoplifting on surveillance cameras, stop suspects at exits, and detain them for police. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies from Lancaster Station respond to theft calls and make arrests.

Residential Burglaries:

• Single-family homes throughout Lancaster neighborhoods
• Apartment complexes in Valencia, Newhall, Canyon Country areas
• Daytime burglaries when residents at work
• Nighttime burglaries while residents sleeping
• Construction site thefts

Vehicle-Related Thefts:

• Auto thefts from parking lots, streets, residences
• Vehicle burglaries in shopping center parking lots
• Catalytic converter thefts throughout the city
• Theft from vehicles parked on streets
• Carjackings (less common but serious when they occur)

Commercial Robberies:

• Convenience store robberies
• Gas station robberies
• Bank robberies (investigated by FBI and local authorities)
• Pharmacy robberies
• Small business robberies

Street Robberies:

• Purse snatchings
• Cell phone thefts
• Strong-arm robberies in public spaces
• Robberies near ATMs
• Robberies in parking lots

How Lancaster Law Enforcement Handles Theft Cases

Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Investigation – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lancaster Station, located at 501 West Lancaster Boulevard, investigates theft and robbery cases through:

• Response to 911 calls from victims
• Response to loss prevention calls from retailers
• Review of surveillance video
• Fingerprint analysis of crime scenes
• Witness interviews
• Victim statements and identification
• Property recovery and documentation
• Follow-up investigations on leads

California Highway Patrol Involvement – The California Highway Patrol^[4] Antelope Valley office investigates vehicle thefts, carjackings on freeways, and cargo thefts on State Route 14 and throughout the Antelope Valley.

Prosecution by Los Angeles County District Attorney – The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office^[5] Antelope Valley Branch prosecutes theft and robbery cases filed by law enforcement, with specialized units handling organized retail theft, major fraud, and violent robbery cases.

Common Lancaster Theft and Robbery Scenarios

• Shoplifting Arrests: Defendants fill shopping bags or wear merchandise under clothing, attempt to exit stores without paying, and are stopped by loss prevention or police. Many involve necessity (stealing food or necessities due to poverty) or addiction issues (stealing to support drug habits).
• Employee Theft: Workers accused of stealing cash from registers, merchandise from inventory, or engaging in theft through fraud schemes.
• Burglary During Foreclosure: Lancaster’s housing market challenges lead to some burglaries of vacant foreclosed properties for copper, appliances, or fixtures.
• Package Theft: Rise of online shopping leads to thefts of packages from porches and mailboxes throughout Lancaster neighborhoods.
• Identity Theft and Fraud: Theft of personal information used to open credit accounts, file tax returns, or commit financial fraud.
• False Accusations: Innocent people accused of theft based on mistaken identity, profiling, or false loss prevention claims.

Penalties and Consequences

Direct Criminal Penalties

Petty Theft Misdemeanor:

• Up to 6 months jail
• Fine up to $1,000
• Summary probation 1-3 years
• Restitution
• Theft diversion programs available

Grand Theft Felony:

• 16 months, 2, or 3 years state prison
• Fine up to $10,000
• Formal probation or prison
• Restitution (often substantial)
• Strike if involves taking from person

Second-Degree Robbery:

• 2, 3, or 5 years state prison
• Strike conviction
• 85% custody requirement
• Restitution to victims
• Substantial fines

First-Degree Robbery:

• 3, 4, or 6 years state prison
• Strike conviction
• 85% custody requirement
• Enhancements adding years

Residential Burglary:

• 2, 4, or 6 years state prison
• Strike conviction
• Restitution
• Lifetime consequences

Collateral Consequences

Employment Impact:

• Theft convictions appear on background checks
• Employers view theft as dishonesty offense
• Disqualifying for positions involving money, access to property, trust
• Professional licenses at risk
• Career advancement limited

Immigration Consequences: For non-citizens, theft and robbery convictions can trigger deportation. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services^[6], theft offenses with sentences of one year or more may constitute aggravated felonies, and crimes of moral turpitude can result in removal proceedings.

Three Strikes Impact: Robbery and residential burglary are strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law, meaning future felony convictions result in doubled sentences (second strike) or 25 years to life (third strike).

Restitution Obligations: Courts order full restitution to victims for losses, which can total thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Unpaid restitution follows you indefinitely and can result in wage garnishment and collection actions.

Housing Consequences:

• Eviction from housing
• Denial of rental applications
• Public housing restrictions
• Difficulty finding housing with criminal record

Defenses to Robbery and Theft Charges

False Accusations and Mistaken Identity

Many theft accusations result from:

• Mistaken identity by witnesses
• Racial profiling by security
• False accusations by store employees
• Confusion about who committed theft
• Revenge or ulterior motives

We defend by:

• Challenging witness identifications
• Presenting alibi evidence
• Demonstrating bias or mistake
• Showing physical evidence doesn’t match
• Presenting surveillance contradicting accusations

Lack of Intent to Steal

Theft requires intent to permanently deprive owner of property. We establish lack of intent by showing:

• You intended to pay but forgot
• You intended to return property
• Mistake or confusion about ownership
• Mistake about permission to take property
• No intent to permanently keep property

Claim of Right/Good Faith Belief

If you honestly believed you had right to property, no theft occurred. We demonstrate:

• You believed property was yours
• You believed you had permission
• Dispute over ownership
• Good faith misunderstanding

Insufficient Evidence

Prosecutors must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. We challenge:

• Lack of video evidence
• Unreliable witness testimony
• No proof you took property
• No proof of value exceeding $950 (for grand theft)
• Gaps in prosecution’s case

Lack of Force or Fear (Robbery Defense)

Robbery requires force or fear. We argue:

• No force was used
• Victim wasn’t in fear
• Taking occurred without confrontation
• Crime was theft, not robbery
• Reduction to theft appropriate

Entrapment

When undercover operations or informants induce crimes defendants weren’t predisposed to commit, entrapment provides defense.

Violation of Constitutional Rights

We challenge cases involving:

• Illegal searches producing evidence
• Coerced confessions
• Denial of Miranda rights
• Improper stops or detentions
• Violation of right to counsel

Property Value Disputes

For grand theft charges, value over $950 must be proven. We challenge:

• Prosecution’s valuation methods
• Expert appraisal of property value
• Used condition reducing value below $950
• Reduction to petty theft appropriate

Necessity Defense

In rare cases, necessity defense applies when:

• You took property to prevent greater harm
• Emergency circumstances
• No reasonable legal alternative
• Food taken due to starvation

The Criminal Justice Process

Arrest and Investigation

Arrest Scenarios:

• Caught in act by police or security
• Identified through surveillance
• Arrested after investigation
• Turned in by accomplices
• Warrant issued after investigation

After arrest, you’re transported to Lancaster Sheriff’s Station for booking. Bail for theft varies: petty theft ($2,500-$5,000), grand theft ($5,000-$25,000), robbery ($50,000-$100,000+).

Arraignment

First court appearance at Antelope Valley Courthouse where you’re:

• Advised of charges
• Given complaint
• Enter plea (typically not guilty)
• Bail reviewed
• Future dates set

We strongly recommend attorney representation at arraignment.

Pretrial Proceedings

Discovery: We obtain evidence including:

• Police reports
• Surveillance video
• Witness statements
• Loss prevention reports
• Property photographs and valuations
• Your statements to police

Investigation: We conduct independent investigation:

• Interview defense witnesses
• Obtain alibi evidence
• Review surveillance video
• Consult with experts on valuation
• Investigate victim/witness credibility
• Gather character evidence

Motion Practice: We file motions to:

• Suppress illegally obtained evidence
• Dismiss charges based on insufficient evidence
• Exclude unreliable identifications
• Strike prior convictions
• Reduce charges

Negotiations: We negotiate for:

• Complete dismissal
• Reduction felony to misdemeanor
• Diversion programs
• Favorable plea agreements
• Alternative sentencing

Trial

If necessary, we provide aggressive trial representation:

• Jury Selection – Selecting fair jurors who understand reasonable doubt
• Cross-Examination – Challenging prosecution witnesses including loss prevention, police, alleged victims
• Defense Case – Presenting your testimony, witnesses, expert testimony, and evidence
• Closing Arguments – Emphasizing reasonable doubt and weaknesses in prosecution’s case

Sentencing

If convictions occur, we present mitigation seeking:

• Probation instead of prison
• Minimal custody
• Rehabilitation focus
• Restitution payment plans
• Work release or alternatives

Proposition 47 and Theft Law Changes

California voters passed Proposition 47 in 2014, reclassifying certain theft and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. According to the California Courts^[7], Prop 47:

• Reduced most theft under $950 to misdemeanors
• Created “safe harbor” preventing felony prosecution when value under $950
• Allows people with prior felony theft convictions to petition for reduction to misdemeanors
• Applies retroactively to old convictions

Prop 47 Petition for Reduction: We help clients with prior felony theft convictions petition for:

• Redesignation to misdemeanor
• Resentencing to misdemeanor terms
• Expungement after reduction
• Relief from collateral consequences

Exceptions: Prop 47 doesn’t apply to:

• Robbery (always felony)
• Burglary (separate statute)
• Vehicle theft over $950
• Defendants with certain disqualifying prior convictions
• Identity theft
• Theft of firearms

Theft Diversion Programs

Some counties offer diversion programs for first-time offenders allowing dismissal upon completion of:

• Theft awareness classes
• Community service
• Restitution payment
• Staying out of trouble for 6-12 months

Upon successful completion, charges are dismissed with no conviction. We advocate for diversion when available.

Restitution and Civil Liability

Beyond criminal penalties, theft convictions require restitution to victims. Additionally, California Civil Code Section 1714 allows theft victims to sue for:

• Treble damages (three times actual damages)
• Attorney’s fees
• Court costs

Retailers often send demand letters threatening civil suits unless defendants pay settlements. We help negotiate these demands and protect clients from excessive civil liability.

Expungement and Record Clearing

After completing probation, many theft convictions can be expunged under Penal Code Section 1203.4:

• Changes record to show dismissal
• Allows answering “no” to conviction on most job applications
• Helps with employment, housing
• Available after probation completion

We help clients petition for expungement, reducing long-term impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Tu Defensor Criminalista

• Extensive Theft Defense Experience – We’ve defended hundreds of theft and robbery cases, achieving dismissals, acquittals, and favorable resolutions.
• Understanding of Prop 47 – We’re experienced with Proposition 47 petitions, helping clients reduce old felony convictions to misdemeanors.
• Local Lancaster Knowledge – We regularly appear at Antelope Valley Courthouse and understand local judges, prosecutors, and procedures.
• Aggressive Negotiation – We negotiate aggressively with prosecutors and retailers seeking dismissals, reductions, and minimal consequences.
• Trial Experience – We’re experienced trial attorneys who’ve won numerous theft and robbery trials, giving us leverage in negotiations.
• Compassionate Representation – We understand theft often results from financial hardship, addiction, or desperation. We provide compassionate representation while fighting aggressively.
• Bilingual Services – We provide fluent Spanish-language services. Hablamos Español.
• Available 24/7 – Theft arrests happen any time. We’re available immediately to protect your rights.

Take Action Now

Theft and robbery charges threaten your freedom and future. Don’t wait to get help.

• Don’t make statements to police without attorney present. Anything you say will be used against you.
• Don’t try to contact victims or pay restitution without attorney guidance. This can be used as admission of guilt.
• Don’t assume conviction is inevitable. Many theft cases are successfully defended.

Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista today for immediate assistance.

Contact Information

Your freedom and future are worth fighting for. Call now—we’re available 24/7 to help you.

Citations and Sources

1. California Legislative Information – Penal Code Sections 484, 487, 488, 211-213, 459-460, 496, 490.4
   https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/^[1]
2. California Department of Justice – Crime statistics and data
   https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/^[2]
3. U.S. Census Bureau – Lancaster demographics
   https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lancastercitycalifornia^[3]
4. California Highway Patrol – Law enforcement information
   https://www.chp.ca.gov/^[4]
5. Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – Prosecution information
   https://da.lacounty.gov/^[5]
6. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Immigration consequences
   https://www.uscis.gov/^[6]
7. California Courts – Proposition 47 information
   https://www.courts.ca.gov/prop47.htm^[7]