March 25, 2015
(McKinney, Texas) – Jerete Valdez, 39, of Dallas, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a home burglary in Plano, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
Valdez, who had multiple prior convictions for burglary of a vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, broke into a Plano home during the early morning hours of June 7, 2014. He stole a large amount of power tools, including a pressure washer, paint sprayer, saw, and a purse. Plano Police Officers were initially called out to a traffic accident at Park Boulevard and Idaho Road around 4:30 a.m. Valdez had called the police after he struck a moped rider with his car. When police arrived they noticed the power tools in the backseat of Valdez’s sedan. While officers were talking to Valdez, Sergeant Ewell drove through the neighborhood looking for open garage doors.
Police located an open garage less than a half mile from Valdez’s traffic accident. The homeowners were notified of the open garage and realized their cars had been ransacked and their power tools were missing. The homeowners were brought to the traffic accident where they identified the property in the rear seat of Valdez’s car. Officers also located the homeowner’s insurance card in Valdez’s front pocket.
In a non-jury trial, State District Judge Angela Tucker found Jerete Valdez guilty of the burglary charge. During the punishment hearing, it was established that Valdez was a habitual offender. Judge Tucker sentenced Valdez to 25 years in prison for the burglary charge.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Chris Fredericks and Ashley Rittenmeyer prosecuted the case and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Rodney Neal. The cases were investigated by Plano Officers C. Wright, B. Flanagan, and Sergeant B. Ewell.
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