Police have arrested and charged two 30-year-old men who allegedly forced entry into a Burbank home and stole more than $1 million. One of the two men pleaded not guilty to felony charges in court on March 16, authorities said.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Siavash Razaghi of Oak Park and Travis Kennedy of Newhall were both charged with one count each of home invasion robbery, first-degree residential burglary, identity theft and second-degree commercial robbery.
In California, first-degree robbery charges typically carry a prison sentence lasting anywhere from three to nine years; second-degree robbery can lead to sentences ranging from two to five years.
Kennedy pleaded not guilty to these charges, along with charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a controlled substance and possession for sale of methamphetamine, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office told the Burbank Leader. Razaghi also pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors and police allege that on Nov. 1, the two men knocked on the door of the Burbank home and claimed to be delivering the mail. They then forced their way into the house at gunpoint, zip-tying the hands of the housekeeper who answered the door. Razaghi and Kennedy were inside the home for about 15 minutes and made off with $1 million in cash.
NBC Los Angeles reports that while it’s not known exactly why the homeowners had $1 million in cash lying around, it’s possible that they ran a money-lending business.
Razaghi and Kennedy will return to court April 2, at which time a date for a hearing, to determine whether there is adequate evidence for a trial, will be scheduled. If convicted, Kennedy faces up to 24 years and four months in prison, while Razaghi’s maximum sentence would be 22 years and eight months.
Both men are currently in jail as they await their next hearing. Razaghi’s bail was set at $2 million; Kennedy is jailed on $275,000 bail.
