Update: Man sentenced for SLO home invasion
Update posted Nov. 17, 2021
Johnny Jesse Roman sentenced to 25 years to life for his conviction for violent crimes committed during a home invasion robbery
– District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Johnny Jesse Roman, 39, was sentenced to 25 years to life for his conviction for violent crimes committed during a home invasion robbery in rural San Luis Obispo in February 2021.
The defendant’s convictions and today’s sentence were the result of a February 13, 2021, incident wherein Roman forced entry into an elderly victim’s residence, tied the victim up and stole thousands of dollars in cash from within the residence and a vehicle parked outside. After Roman fled the scene, the victim remained restrained in her residence for several hours until she found by a family member. Roman then fled California and was arrested in Virginia in March 2021, after which he was extradited and returned to San Luis Obispo County.
On October 19, 2021, Johnny Jesse Roman Jr. (DOB 6-27-1982) pleaded no contest to all charges against him including one count of Residential Burglary, one count of First-Degree Residential Robbery, and one count of Grand Theft Automobile. His crimes were committed against a 75-year-old woman residing in a rural portion of San Luis Obispo within the jurisdiction of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff. Roman also admitted that he was previously convicted of two violent felonies under California’s Three Strikes Law. These prior convictions were: Residential Burglary in 2005 and Robbery in 2006. His plea to the current crimes and his admission of the prior “strike” convictions subjected him to a maximum sentence of 41 years to life in prison.
Today, November 16, 2021, the assigned prosecutor and the Probation Department, in its sentencing report, advocated for the Judge to impose the maximum sentence because of the violence perpetrated against the elderly woman and the similarity of Roman’s prior violent offense convictions. There was no plea agreement between the defendant and the District Attorney’s Office. Rather, the defendant pleaded no contest to all charges in hopes of receiving leniency from Judge Jesse J. Marino. Judge Marino exercised his discretion to provide a lesser sentence by striking the additional 16 years in prison that was allowed under California law for these convictions.
“Violent crimes committed by career criminals against vulnerable victims deserve especially strong sentences,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “Our office takes seriously the obligation to protect our community through aggressive and fair prosecution of crime while protecting the rights of crime victims. We will continue to advocate for strong sentences in cases like this in order to prevent future crimes by a particular defendant and to deter others from committing similar crimes.”
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney James Graff-Radford.
Update posted March 19, 2021:
Update: SLO home invasion suspect arrested in Virginia
–A suspect in a home invasion robbery in rural San Luis Obispo last month has been arrested in Virginia. On March 17, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Detectives determined the suspect, Johnny Jesse Roman, Jr. was staying at a residence in Virginia Beach, Virginia. On March 18, Roman was arrested by the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Roman is believed to have entered the home of an elderly female on O’Connor Way in rural San Luis Obispo on Feb. 13. He stole cash from the residence and then stole the victim’s truck. The truck was later recovered at a gas station in San Jose.
Roman is currently in custody in Virginia, pending extradition back to California to face charges of robbery, false imprisonment, elder abuse, and vehicle theft.
Update posted March 1, 2021:
–On Monday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department released new photos of 38-year-old Johnny Jesse Roman, Jr., a suspect wanted in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred on Feb. 13 at a home in the 1700 block of O’Connor Way in rural San Luis Obispo.
Roman has a distinctive rose tattoo on his face. If anyone spots Roman, they are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (805) 781-4550.
Update posted Feb. 19, 2021:
Update: Authorities recover Chevy Silverado used in home-invasion robbery
–The Chevy Silverado truck a home-invasion burglary suspect allegedly stole was found in San Jose on Wednesday, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Cipolla says.
“The truck was recovered yesterday morning in San Jose,” Cipolla says. “It was left abandoned at a gas station.” The suspect, Johnny Jesse Roman, Jr., 38, is still outstanding. “This is still an active investigation,” Cipolla says.
Update Feb. 15, 2021:
Arrest warrant issued for home-invasion robbery suspect
Wanted: Johnny Jesse Roman, Jr.
–San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s detectives on Sunday said a suspect has been identified in a home invasion robbery which occurred on Saturday at a home in the 1700 block of O’Connor Way in rural San Luis Obispo.
Through the course of the investigation, sheriff’s forensic specialists and investigators with the major crimes unit identified 38-year-old Johnny Jesse Roman, Jr., of San Luis Obispo as the suspect in this case.
Roman is believed to have entered the home of an elderly female and stole cash from the residence and then stole the victim’s truck. The vehicle is a gold 2006 Chevy Silverado with the license plate number 8Z85747.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Roman. Anyone who sees this vehicle or the suspect is asked to call 911. Do not attempt to make contact, law enforcement says.
Be on the lookout for this truck. Photo released by SLO County Sheriff.
Original report, Feb. 13, 2021:
Wanted robbery suspect was last seen in gold Chevy Silverado
–The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert for a man wanted in connection with a home-invasion robbery that occurred in rural San Luis Obispo on Saturday morning.
A “Be on the Lookout” was issued for a vehicle believed to be related to the crime that occurred in the 1700 block of O’Connor Way, San Luis Obispo.
The vehicle is described as a gold 2006 Chevy Silverado, license plate number 8Z85747, deputies say. The suspect is a male with gray hair, 60-65-years-old, 6-foot tall or taller, heavy build wearing a trucker’s hat and black jacket.
The suspect is unknown to the victim, according to police radio traffic. The victim told detectives the suspect took cash from inside the residence and then stole the victim’s truck.
If you see this vehicle do not attempt to make contact and immediately contact the sheriff’s office at (805) 781-4550.
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