Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Prosser man held in theft of collectibles, gun

By Kristin M. Kraemer, Herald staff writer

A 21-year-old Prosser man was ordered held Thursday on $10,000 bail on allegations he helped steal $15,000 in collectibles and a handgun from a home.

Judge Cameron Mitchell said it was more appropriate to set bail for Felix Torres, instead of releasing him without bail.

Based on the items taken in the Sept. 28 burglary, Torres could "pose a danger to the community," Mitchell said.

Torres' attorney, J.J. Sandlin of Zillah, argued that his client was "not one of the major players in this. ... He's not standing in the same shoes as the others."

Torres is one of three young men charged in Benton County Superior Court with the crime.

He had hoped to get out of jail so he could return to his job as a truck driver for Welch's, Sandlin told the court. Now, he will end up sitting in jail until the case is resolved, Sandlin added.

"They are poor," said Sandlin, who reportedly has known the Torres family for most of his 31 years practicing in the Yakima Valley. "This is punitive. This is a punishment. This is not to protect the community."

Torres pleaded innocent to one count of first-degree burglary. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Jacob D. Gonzalez, 20, and Silvester J. Garza, 18, both pleaded innocent this week to similar charges. Their trials are set to start Nov. 17.

Prosecutors allege the three men -- and a fourth unnamed juvenile -- burglarized an Ellen Avenue home in Prosser, taking two safes and a .25-caliber gun.

The safes contained coins, stamps, silver certificates, tools, electronics and legal documents, some of which were 40 to 70 years old, police said.

Once Prosser police learned the identity of the suspects, they searched their homes and vehicles and reportedly recovered numerous items. The stolen gun was found in Gonzalez's attic, court documents said.

Sandlin told the court that his client was called to give a ride to one of the men who was on a bike.

Deputy Prosecutor Scott Johnson argued that a co-defendant told police that Torres participated in the burglary, and added that some stolen items were found in Torres' car.

He said it is up to a jury to decide how, or if, Torres was involved.