Pictured Above: Michael David Marano. Source: Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Michael David Marano was charged with four counts of felony second-degree burglary and four counts of felony second-degree robbery this week. These charges stem from four Orange County bank robberies allegedly committed by Marano within the last several weeks. The Drifter Bandit, as Marano was called,  allegedly brandished a gun at several banks and then robbed them. He was under surveillance for several weeks before finally being arrested during a felony car stop. If Marano is charged with all of these crimes, he faces 110 years to life in state prison.

California defines burglary as the breaking and entering of a structure to commit a felony therein. First-degree burglary is burglary of a residential dwelling. Second-degree burglary is burglary of a commercial structure. Robbery is often linked to burglary, because once someone breaks into a structure, they often take another person’s property by force or fear.

Defenses to robbery and burglary include lack of intent to break in, mistaken identity, or consent to enter. Being convicted of burglary or robbery can be accompanied by prison/jail time, probation, fines and restitution. Therefore, if you are charged with burglary or robbery, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to defend you.