According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, on Thursday, July 7, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Teresa Chernosky, a jury has found defendant, Jose Mazara, 27, of unknown address, guilty of three counts of First-Degree Burglary and one count of Felon in Possession of a Regulated Firearm, as well as conspiracy counts for each and some related charges.
The defendant burglarized three homes in the Takoma Park area in November 2022, stealing multiple items of jewelry and watches (estimated total value of $30,000) and a handgun with ammunition. The victims were away from their homes at the time of the break-ins. In one case, the family was traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Kroepsch is prosecuting this case and stated in court that Mazara targeted homes where newspapers and/or mail sat outside of the front door, indicating the likelihood that the occupants were not present. The defendant entered the homes through unlocked doors and windows, in one case, using a ladder from the yard to access a second story window. Mazara is facing up to 75 years in prison and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2023.”
