A man described by police as an "armed serial burglar" in Shadow Hills was charged with more than a dozen felonies and pleaded not guilty last week.
Benjamin Renteria, also known as Benjamin Renteria-Herrera, was accused in a criminal complaint filed Nov. 19 with nine counts of burglary, four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of theft of firearm, one count of assault with a firearm, and one count of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
The DA's office said late Monday Renteria was brought to San Fernando court Friday where the plea was entered. Renteria is due back in court Jan. 6, 2022.
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A public entry in the LA Superior Court case database lists no criminal charges, and the DA's office did not respond to media inquiries about the case ahead of the court appearance.
He is being held on $240,000 bond.
Renteria's arrest ended a three-day search for the man who police believe is responsible for several commercial and residential burglaries in Sunland, Shadow Hills and various communities throughout the northeast San Fernando Valley.
Neighbors said they had been terrified.
Carlos Medina, a neighbor, said he thinks he encountered him before.
"Five days ago, he stopped by my house," he said. "Tattooed, had a backpack. He asked me and my friend, 'Can you give me a ride to Saticoy?' My friend said, 'No, he can't.'"
Police say the prowler was seen with a handgun, a bolt-action rifle and an AR-15-type rifle and they say he's linked to a series of commercial and residential burglaries.
"All night I don't sleep," said Karo Paronian, a neighbor. "I'm watching my home. Sitting up in a chair up there at night until 2-3 in the morning."