Man convicted of 16 felonies in connection with 2016 L.A. area home invasions

A man from Las Vegas charged with 17 felonies stemming from a 2016 home invasion spree throughout the Los Angeles area has been convicted of all but one charge, authorities said.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Vacho Shahen, 39, shot a homeowner during a failed robbery attempt in the 600 block of Adelaide Drive in Santa Monica on Aug. 28, 2016.

According to the homeowner, who survived the shooting after sustaining a single gunshot wound to the torso, Shahen was wearing a mask similar to the one used in the movie “Scream” during the botched robbery.

After a multi-year investigation aided by DNA evidence, law enforcement officials were able to link Shahen’s failed robbery in Santa Monica to additional home invasions in Beverly Hills and Downey, all of which took place within a two-week period in 2016.

Shahen was eventually arrested in Philadelphia in 2018, SMPD said; the circumstances surrounding his arrest were not released.

After a three-week trial, a jury found the Las Vegas man guilty on 16 of 17 felony charges. His sentencing is scheduled for June 24.

Anyone with additional information surrounding the investigation into Shahen is asked to contact Sgt. Chad Goodwin at 310-458-8931 or Lt. Erika Aklufi at 310-458-8493.

The Santa Monica Police Department offers free home security assessments to all residents. The assessments help identify potential vulnerabilities and provide recommendations to better secure homes.

To schedule an assessment, contact SMPD’s Community Affairs Unit by calling 310-458-8474.

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