August 26, 2016
(McKinney, Texas) – Edwin Romero, 33, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
On March 17, 2015, the victim came home and was immediately confronted by Romero inside her home. Romero, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and gloves, held her at gunpoint, demanded cash and gold, and instructed her not to look at him. He ransacked the master bedroom, bathroom and closet, then locked the victim in the closet and left the residence. Plano officers responded and discovered the glass patio door shattered.
On April 1, 2015, Romero broke into another home in Plano through a window in the back of the home, occupied by a mother and her baby. He forced them into a bathroom and ransacked the master bedroom and closet. Romero took her jewelry and left. Plano crime scene officers recovered a shoe imprint on the screen that had been removed from the broken window. A neighbor’s surveillance video showed a gold Honda CRV in front of the home. The driver knocked on the front door, and when there was no answer, drove around to the alley. Video also showed a person wearing dark clothing walking quickly from the alley into the backyard. Police used the license tag to locate the vehicle and begin surveillance on the CRV and Honda Odyssey associated with the same person.
On April 2, 2015, Romero broke into yet another home, this time in Frisco. He held a screw driver to her neck and threatened to kill her while forcibly taking off her gold wedding ring. She positively identified Romero in a line-up.
Plano Intelligence Unit tracked the Odyssey driving through residential streets and alleys in Garland, Richardson, and Plano. During a traffic stop 11 days later, Romero ran from the police, who found a grey hooded sweatshirt and gloves in the Odyssey. A search of Romero’s home recovered a glass breaking tool, jewelry, cash, and shoes matching the type and size of the imprint left on the window screen. Romero’s cell phone records also placed him at the time and locations of the break-ins.
The jury convicted Romero of Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation. Punishment evidence showed Romero’s previous convictions for three burglaries as well as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Judge Scott Becker assessed a life sentence on both cases.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Briggs and Wes Wynne prosecuted the cases and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Jared Clark. Plano Det. Cathy Stamm led the investigation with Det. Aaron Benzick’s assistance.
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