SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted and sentenced yesterday for burglarizing the homes of female college students that he found by using Instagram. Arturo Galvan, 45, Menifee, pleaded guilty on Sept. 19, 2016, to five felony counts of first degree residential burglary, one felony count of attempted first degree residential burglary, and one misdemeanor count of resisting and obstructing an officer. He was sentenced to eight years in state prison and was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

On multiple occasions between May 22, 2014, and Dec. 3, 2015, Galvan entered the homes of female college students in Orange and Fullerton, which primarily served as sorority houses for Chapman University and California State University, Fullerton. The defendant located the victims' residences through the GPS locations tied to photographs the victims posted on the social media website Instagram. Galvan entered the victims' homes during the late afternoon or evening hours and stole various items including women's underwear, clothing, personal photos, planners, jewelry, laptops, and tablet devices.

On Dec. 3, 2015, Galvan was looking through a window at a residence in Fullerton. Members of the Fullerton Police Department (FPD), who were surveilling the area, observed Galvan looking through the window. The defendant attempted to flee, but at approximately 11:00 p.m. that evening, FPD arrested the defendant as he was entering a car containing stolen items. FPD and the Orange Police Department investigated this case.

In court, five victim impact statements were read detailing the emotional and financial impact the burglaries had on these young college students.

Deputy District Attorney Denise Hernandez of the Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 16CF0007 / September 20, 2016