Eight-year sentence for burglar who fondled child
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1 of 1By Casey Christie / The Californian
Brian Ambriz Contreras during his sentencing Wednesday morning in the Kern County Superior Court, Department 11.
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BY JASON KOTOWSKI Californian staff writer jkotowski@bakersfield.com
An eight-year prison sentence was handed down Wednesday to a burglar who preyed on a southeast Bakersfield neighborhood and fondled a young girl sleeping in one of the homes he broke into.
Brian Ambriz Contreras, 24, will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Contreras pleaded no contest last month to lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and first-degree burglary.
"I think it's a reasonable disposition in that it gives him time in custody and two strikes," prosecutor Nicholas Lackie said following sentencing.
Lackie said he spoke to the victim's mother and she was agreeable with the eight-year sentence.
Defense attorney Lutie Thompson could not be reached for comment.
Two of the three incidents Contreras was involved in occurred June 14. Bakersfield police said Contreras first tried to break into a residence in the 900 block of Kyner Avenue.
A resident of the home told police Contreras tried to get into her first-floor bedroom, but he couldn't get inside because her window was locked, according to police. Contreras then went to an older relative's room, but the relative woke up and yelled and Contreras ran away.
He didn't go far. Across the street, a teenage girl awoke to find Contreras standing over her.
The girl told The Californian she was half-asleep and in such shock that she didn't scream. She ran out of the room and Contreras jumped out the window.
Police had been called at that point and set up a perimeter. Contreras was arrested in Stiern Park on Monitor Street.
Officers found Contreras' red Mitsubishi Galant parked near Kyner Avenue, police said. A purse with someone else's identification was inside the car.
The purse had been taken during a previous break-in, police said.
In examining Contreras' cell phone, police found photos apparently taken by Contreras during the break-in, according to police. The photos showed two sleeping girls, and one picture showed Contreras touching one of the girls in private areas over her clothing.
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