Serial burglar pleads guilty to Palm Springs break-ins

A convicted felon who broke into a half-dozen Palm Springs homes pleaded guilty today to felony charges and was immediately sentenced to nine years, four months in state prison.
Jesus Andres Valverde, 22, was slated to go on trial this week at the Banning Justice Center, but just as jury selection was about to begin, the prosecution and defense informed Riverside County Superior Court Judge W. Charles Morgan that a plea agreement had been reached.
Under the deal, Valverde admitted six counts of burglary and one count of auto theft. In exchange for his admissions, the District Attorney’s Office dropped one burglary charge.
Morgan certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
According to Palm Springs police, Valverde targeted properties in the 1400 and 1600 blocks of San Lorenzo Road last October. He stole a car during one of the break-ins.
Investigators said Valverde entered the homes through unlocked doors and windows, slipping inside as the victims slept.
Following an extensive investigation, Valverde was tracked down to a residence in Desert Hot Springs in March and arrested without incident.
According to court records, Valverde has prior convictions for burglary and assault likely to produce great bodily injury.