Visalia Residential Burglary Suspects Charged
District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges related to a residential burglary in Visalia on December 30, 2021. The defendants are alleged to have burglarized the victims’ home while they were out of town.
Anthony Santua, 41, and Donald Franklin Jr., 35, are charged with first degree residential burglary and second degree burglary, both felonies, as well as several misdemeanor crimes. Franklin is also charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle.
If convicted, Franklin faces a life sentence due to his prior convictions for two serious and violent felony crimes (robbery 2005, residential burglary 2018). Santua also has an extensive criminal history including felony convictions for assault on a peace officer, possession of stolen property, burglary and reckless evading. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years, 4 months in prison.
At the time of the offense, Santua was on bail and was already facing charges for numerous other criminal offenses. His last court appearance was on December 6, 2021.
- Possession of stolen property, burglar’s tools and drug paraphernalia and driving without a valid license stemming from a traffic stop on July 25, 2021 (PCM 414845C)
- Possession of stolen property stemming from a traffic stop on August 25, 2021 (VCF 416678C)
- Possession of burglar’s tools stemming from a traffic stop on September 20, 2021 (PCM 422211B)
Following the filing of new charges, Santua is now held in custody without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for January 10, 2022.
Franklin was arraigned on the charges on January 4, 2022, and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on January 13, 2022.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494