EVANSTON — Involvement in a string of 2016 burglaries that occurred in the Grass Valley area could result in prison time for a former Evanston resident. Justin A. Walls-Regan was arraigned in Third District Court on Friday, May 17, on two counts of felony burglary and one count of misdemeanor theft. 

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Walls-Regan, along with several other individuals, including Walls-Regan’s father and younger brother, was involved in burglarizing residential sheds, garages and vehicles from September through November of 2016, while another person involved acted as a “look-out” by monitoring the police scanner.  

The affidavit notes that stolen items included air compressors; gas generators; power, pneumatic and hand tools; snowmobiling equipment; fishing tackle and equipment; hunting equipment and more. 

Walls-Regan allegedly admitted to his participation in the burglaries during an interview with Evanston Police Department Officer Jake Williams that occurred in late November 2016. During that interview, Walls-Regan allegedly described going into residential sheds and detached garages, using bolt cutters to gain entry when sheds were found to be locked. Stolen items were allegedly sold to pawn shops in Utah, with the funds then split among those involved. 

The affidavit states EPD officers were able to obtain a record of items sold by group members, including Walls-Regan, to Utah pawn shops. 

The two burglary charges are related to Walls-Regan allegedly entering a shed/outbuilding with the intent to commit theft between Oct. 1 and Oct. 11, 2016, and entering a garage with the intent to commit theft between Nov. 1 and Nov. 12, 2016. The misdemeanor theft charge alleges during the November burglary the defendant knowingly took the property of another person, including a vehicle speed charger, a Dremel engraver and a lunch box containing tools and a pay stub.

Each burglary charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years of imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both. The misdemeanor theft charge carries a maximum penalty of six months of imprisonment, a $750 fine or both. 

Walls-Regan entered not guilty pleas to all counts. District Court Judge Joseph Bluemel scheduled a two-day trial to begin on Sept. 3.