| Burglary suspects didn't takeLaci April 21, 2003 A burglary across the street from Laci Peterson's home had nothing to do with the Modesto woman's disappearance, police confirmed Friday. The announcement coincided with police saying they had arrested two suspects in the burglary and determined that they were not involved in the missing-person case. Detective Doug Ridenour said the men were booked late Thursday at Stanislaus County Jail. Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold would not comment on whether the two men who pleaded guilty to charges related to a burglary at a home in the Petersons' neighborhood would be called to testify. Police arrested burglary suspects Steven Wayne Todd, 36, and Donald Glenn Pearce, 44, on Jan. 2 after receiving an anonymous tip, according to police documents and the two were far more cooperative than suspects usually are with police. "It was bad luck on their part," Det. George Stough said. (Steven Todd) said he was scared that he was going to be associated with Laci's disappearance." Thursday, state parole officers received a tip from someone who directed police to Todd and Pearce, Stough said. They gave numerous statements and facts that checked out, convincing police that the two men were telling the truth. Todd told investigators that he traveled the La Loma area often and recognized a home that looked empty the morning after Christmas. He said he and Pearce entered the home about 4 a.m. and stayed for about 3 1/2 hours, Stough said. Police listed the time of the burglary at the home of Susan Medina on Covena Avenue in the La Loma neighborhood at 6:30 a.m. Dec. 26. Attorneys for both sides refused to say whether there was evidence Todd and Pearce were in the neighborhood before that. Both men were charged with two felony burglary counts. Pearce pleaded no contest in February to a reduced charge of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail. Todd pleaded guilty to one burglary count in February and was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison for that charge and two other burglary counts from a separate incident. HOME INDEX TRIAL NEWS ALIBI-WITNESS LIST ATTORNEYS TIMELINE MAGAZINE INDEX LACI IS FOUND LACI INDEX |
| GOD BLESS LACI & CONNER |
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| DONALD PEARCE |
| STEVEN TODD |
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