NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — A theft involving $950 worth of merchandise from a California Home Depot store resulted in felony charges and warnings of up to six years in state prison for a probation violation, highlighting questions about charging practices in lower-level theft cases.
On Jan. 10, 2026, Alberto Arias was convicted of grand theft, and on Jan. 21, 2026, he entered a guilty plea to the charge, which alleged that he acted “in concert with others.” The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Therese Ellis and Matilde Piana, with Arias represented by Deputy Public Defender David Medina.
The case involved three additional defendants, whom Arias implicated during his plea. The court sentenced Arias to two years of probation and imposed a 24-day jail sentence. Judge Richard E. Pacheco credited Arias with 12 days already served in custody, leaving the remaining balance to be addressed through the sentence, along with an order to pay restitution related to the theft…