FATHER PUTS GOOD CITIZENSHIP AHEAD OF LOVE FOR HIS SON

Dad recognizes son as burglar on surveillance photo, calls attorney to arrange for his son’s surrender

This dad deserves a load of kudos. His love for a wayward son was outweighed by his sense of civic duty. Most fathers would not have turned their crime-committing sons in.

SAN PEDRO MAN CONFESSES TO CASH REGISTER BURLARIES AFTER DAD SEES PHOTO IN BREEZE
By Larry Altman

Torrance Daily Breeze
August 2, 2012

A former Mary Star of the Sea High School running back has confessed to breaking into nine San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes businesses and stealing their cash registers, his attorney and police said Wednesday.

Matthew Barcinas, 18, of San Pedro surrendered to police Tuesday afternoon, two days after his father recognized him in a surveillance photograph published in the Daily Breeze.

"(Barcinas) was very quick to tell me he just felt terrible," attorney Henry Salcido said. "He wanted to accept responsibility. He didn't want to fight this. He wanted to correct this the best he could."

Los Angeles police Harbor Division robbery detectives said Barcinas is responsible for nine burglaries between 7:45p.m. July 11 and 6:50 a.m. July 12.

Four of the crimes occurred in the 1900 block of Gaffey Street in San Pedro, and five in the 28100 block of Western Avenue. One side of Western is San Pedro; the other is Rancho Palos Verdes.

In each crime, Barcinas allegedly smashed windows, entered businesses and took cash registers. He loaded them into a vehicle, drove to another location, pried them open and took the cash. He left the registers behind, police said.

"He took his father's car and went on a crime spree," Detective Maurice Graham said.

Graham said Barcinas provided a full written confession. The detective was not buying his remorse.

"The only reason I think he came in is because he got caught," Graham said.

Salcido said Barcinas' father confronted his son after opening the Daily Breeze on Sunday. The newspaper and its website published a surveillance camera photograph of the suspected burglar. Police said they hoped someone could identify him.

Barcinas' family called Salcido, who contacted Los Angeles police detectives on Monday and arranged the surrender.

Barcinas was arrested on suspicion of burglary. He was released from jail Wednesday afternoon after posting $20,000 bail.

Salcido declined to say why Barcinas allegedly committed the burglaries, but said greed was not a factor.

"Whatever he did, obviously it just doesn't fit," Salcido said. "It's not in keeping with the kind of young man that everybody knows that he is. He was a star athlete at Mary Star of the Sea High School and comes from a lovely family. Even the family is bewildered by this entire thing."

Barcinas, at 5 feet 6 inches tall and 155 pounds, played running back and cornerback for the Sea Stars as a senior last year. The Los Angeles Police Department arrest log lists him as unemployed.

Salcido said Barcinas' confession saved investigators hours of investigation, and allayed fears of merchants that they could become victims.

"For those merchants who have been victimized, it's somewhat comforting for them to know who did it is accepting responsibility," Salcido said.

Victims never should be applauded for their crimes, Salcido said, but "when they do the unexpected and instantly accept responsibility, at least for that aspect of them, I believe they are to be applauded."

Prosecutors could file nine burglary counts against Barcinas when they review the case. Each burglary could result in a sentence of two to six years. Barcinas has no previous record and is working to pay restitution to his victims, the attorney said.

"I would hope (prosecutors) would choose to be understanding and hopefully somewhat flexible as to how they decide to pursue this in the criminal justice system," Salcido said.

Two years ago, Barcinas wrote on his MySpace.com website, "DO SOMETHING STUPID..GET CAUGHT=MY LIFE STORY."

He described himself as a "pretty chill guy" who roamed the streets of San Pedro on his bike. He said he enjoyed "swigging," girls, money and football.