Two change pleas in burglary case

Published 3:30 pm Saturday, October 24, 2009

Two Austin residents pleaded guilty Friday to burglary charges stemming from a July apartment break-in and assault.

Nichole Marie Zankou, 25, and Jesus Detomas Perales, 29, both pleaded guilty to felony first-degree burglary during pre-trial hearings.

The two had originally plead not guilty to multiple charges against them.

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Zankou is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 19; Perales on Dec. 18.

According to their plea agreements, both may have mandatory jail time waived.

The incident in question occurred July 17 around 6:45 p.m. at 2700 Third Ave. SW.

According to a police report, Zankou and Perales, along with Nathan Cameron Whiteaker, 29, of Austin, knocked on the door, and Zankou asked a 24-year-old woman where her husband was.

Perales and Zankou then dragged the 24-year-old into the hallway, where Zankou kicked her while she lay on the floor, the report states. Whiteaker stood in the hallway to block the view.

A friend of the victim attempted to call police, but Perales took her cell phone.

When police arrived, the three had left. The victim had a bloody towel on her face, a swollen eye and scratches around her neck. She was taken by ambulance, according to the report.

Police were able to track the culprits to the 1400 block of Sixth Avenue Northwest, and saw a silver van like one that had been seen leaving the scene, the report states.

Perales and Zankou both denied any involvement when questioned. Police noticed fresh cuts and scratches on Zankou’s face, and told her she was under arrest.

Zankou began to fight police while being arrested, flailing her arms and scratching the police vehicle with a pair of sunglasses. She also yelled obscenities at the officers, according to the report.

Police responded with a taser, the report says.

A few people gathered around during the arrest and claimed police brutality. This included Whiteaker, who was arrested after walking up to police with a camera.

He was sentenced Friday to five years probation. Two other counts were dismissed, including interfering with a peace officer.