A man accused of burglarizing several homes in mostly gated La Jolla communities over a three-month period must stand trial on seven felony charges, a judge ruled Monday.
Louis Swanson, 58, faces more than 30 years in state prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney Jim Koerber.
Judge Joan Weber ruled that enough evidence was presented for Swanson to stand trial June 14 on five counts of burglary and two counts of attempted burglary.
Witness Richard Gibbs identified Swanson as the man who rang his doorbell on Feb. 28 and asked to speak to a person the resident had never heard of.
Gibbs and his wife realized a few days later that they had been robbed that night, according to court testimony.
Swanson is charged with committing burglaries in three gated communities and another housing development in La Jolla between Nov. 26 and March 9.
One person came home to find Swanson rifling through his late wife's jewelry, the prosecutor alleged.
Swanson will be back in court June 6 for a readiness conference.
