Ventura County(Thechieftainspear) – A Chilean national accused of targeting upscale homes across Ventura County in a string of well-planned burglaries has been sentenced to 14 years in state prison, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
The defendant, 23-year-old Ivan Andre Chamorro Santibanez—also known by the alias Evan Francisco—was convicted for his role in at least 10 home burglaries committed between November 9, 2023, and February 7, 2024. The burglaries took place in the affluent neighborhoods of Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Simi Valley.
Authorities say Santibanez specifically chose homes that backed onto open spaces, likely to minimize the risk of being seen. In each incident, he forced entry by smashing rear windows, French doors, or sliding glass doors. Once inside, he ransacked the residences and made off with valuable items including watches, jewelry, and cash. In one case, he stole a safe containing more than $100,000 in cash.
Fortunately, none of the homes were occupied at the time of the break-ins.
Santibanez was ultimately apprehended on February 8, 2024, after a Ventura County detective happened to spot him climbing a hillside in a residential neighborhood in Moorpark, allegedly scouting another potential target. When confronted, Santibanez attempted to flee in a vehicle but was quickly apprehended.
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Inside his vehicle, deputies found a stash of burglary tools including gloves, sharpened metal files, and a tool bag. A search of his phone revealed incriminating selfies showing Santibanez posing with stolen jewelry and large amounts of cash. Some victims were able to identify their stolen property from the photos.
Authorities confirmed that Santibanez was already on probation for a previous residential burglary conviction in Los Angeles County from 2021. He is also believed to be affiliated with a transnational organized crime group that orchestrates these types of burglaries.
On March 7, he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree residential burglary and one count of conspiracy to commit burglary. He also admitted to a prior strike and several aggravating factors, including that the crimes were methodically planned and professionally executed.
He received a 14-year prison sentence on April 7.
“This individual violated the safety and security of families in our communities through calculated and sophisticated crimes,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Nuñez. “The sentence reflects how seriously our justice system takes residential burglaries and the trauma they leave behind.”
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