A probationer accused of breaking into two Rancho Penasquitos homes and threatening someone with a knife pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a pair of residential burglary counts.
Jonathan Romero Miranda, 34, was also charged with attempted robbery, making criminal threats and a misdemeanor for resisting a police officer in connection with incidents that took place Monday afternoon on Rancho Penasquitos Drive and Del Diablo Lane.
Miranda entered the home of an acquaintance, who rents a room, through a garage window, Deputy District Attorney Miriam Hemming said.
“He demanded drugs from her and subsequently demanded money from her,” Hemming said. She said he also threatened the woman’s landlord with a knife.
The defendant then entered another residence through an unsecured window and was spotted by a woman and 17-year-old girl, who locked themselves in a bedroom and called police, according to the prosecutor.
“The defendant went through the home and took a laptop, a day planner and other items,” Hemming said.
The man departed but was caught by officers responding to a call from the first house. He struggled but was taken into custody, she said.
Police later found his wallet in one of the residences, according to the prosecutor, who declined to state the nature of the conviction that had him on probation.
Hemming said the knife hasn’t been located, but the landlord described it as being around 20 inches long.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Kathleen Lewis set bail at $250,000 for Miranda, who faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.
–City News Service
