Livermore Man Arrested, Accused Of Home Break-In Attempt

UNION CITY, CA - A Livermore man has been arrested on suspicion of felony residential burglary for trying to break into a Union City family’s home over the Christmas holiday, police said.

The victims in the case had been away for a few days over the holiday and when they returned home on Saturday morning they opened the blinds of their patio and noticed the screen door had been slid open, police said. The victims suspected that someone had tried to break into their home so they checked the surveillance video and confirmed someone had done so.

The family then called police, investigated the incident and posted the video on social media.

Union City police said they obtained information that helped them identify the suspect, who they identified as 45-year-old John Winchester. They arrested Winchester at his residence in Livermore on Monday without incident and transported him to the Fremont Jail.

Winchester, who works as a plumber according to court records, was charged with residential burglary Tuesday and arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court in Fremont.

Union City police spokesman Lt. Matias Pardo said that even though Winchester wasn’t able to enter the family’s home and steal anything Alameda County prosecutors charged him with burglary because they thought he had the intent to steal items.

Winchester is being held at the Fremont Jail on $52,500 bail.

• Also see:
• Livermore PD Plays Santa For Little Karma, Who Lost Her Mom On Christmas Day
• Elmwood Jail Guard Recovering From ‘Violent Attack’By 10 Inmates

--Bay City News