‘Career criminal’ guilty of burglary

A jury this week found an El Dorado County man guilty of three felony counts of first-degree residential burglary and two counts of attempted burglary.

Bradley Zaun, 27, went a on a drug-induced crime spree in October and November 2013 between Single Springs and Pollock Pines. El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office called him a “career criminal”. Sentencing is set for April 10. Zaun faces 26 years in prison, as well as additional time for violation of his parole.

The two-week trial in Placerville ended Feb. 18.

Alexander Cochran, 21, has pleaded guilty to similar charges. Other suspects are awaiting trial.

According to the DA’s office, the suspects would knock on the front door of a residence and if the homeowner answered the door, the defendants would leave. If no one answered the door, the defendants would gain entry through an unlocked door or force entry. On at least one occasion the residents were home and the defendants were able to avoid arrest under voter approved Proposition 47, which allows some convicted felons to have certain drug and theft, related offenses reduced to misdemeanors, thus allowing for reduced sentences or immediate release from custody.

“The above mentioned case involves Prop. 47 and has created numerous obstacles during court proceedings,” the DA’s office said in a statement.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report