Court Opinion

ID: 2715455
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:23:58.960279+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:53:12.028311
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                 COURT O A P r E Af ;:.
                                                                                         DIVISION 11
                                                                                2014 JUL - 1    API 8 50
                                                                                STATE OF WASHINGTON
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE                                        OivF`-

                                              DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                          No. 44347 -3 - II

                                 Respondent,

       v.

ANGELA LEIGH BOHRER,                                                  UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                 Appellant.

       WORSWIGK, J. —        Angela Bohrer appeals her jury trial convictions for second degree

burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle, following the burglary of Ivan and Latisha Ahquin' s

storage unit. Bohrer argues that ( 1) insufficient evidence supports her burglary conviction as a

principal   because the   evidence   does   not show   that   she entered   the Ahquins'   unit, (2)   insufficient

evidence supports her burglary conviction as an accomplice because the evidence does not show

that she aided Daniel Ripley' s burglary of the Ahquins' unit, and ( 3) insufficient evidence

supports her conviction for possession of a stolen vehicle as a principal because the evidence

shows neither that she possessed the Ahquins' motorcycle, nor that she knowingly possessed that

motorcycle with knowledge that it was stolen. Because sufficient evidence supports Bohrer' s

convictions, we affirm.'

1 Bohrer also argues that insufficient evidence supports her conviction for possession of a stolen
vehicle as an accomplice. We need not consider this argument because sufficient evidence
supports her conviction as a principal. See State v. McDonald, 138 Wash. 2d 680, 687 -88, 981 P.2d
443 ( 1999).
No. 44347 -3 - II

                                                     FACTS2

A.       The Storage Facility

         A Storage Center was a storage facility that was completely enclosed by a natural

perimeter and fencing. Tenants entered and exited the facility through a locked gate. Each

tenant   received   his   or   her   own unique personal   identification   number ( PIN),   used to unlock the

gate at every entry and every exit. Each time a PIN was used to enter or exit, a PIN log recorded

which PIN was entered, when the PIN was entered, whether the PIN successfully opened the

gate, and whether that opening was for an entry or an exit. Each tenant provided their own

padlock to secure their individual unit. Surveillance cameras were placed throughout the facility.

B.        Tenants in the Facility

          One of the facility' s buildings had two floors of storage units connected by a set of stairs

and an elevator. The Ahquins rented a storage unit on the building' s second floor. Angela

Bohrer also rented a storage unit on the second floor, immediately adjacent to the Ahquins' unit.

Bohrer' s boyfriend, Ripley, rented a storage unit on the building' s first floor.

          The lease agreement allowed a tenant to authorize other people to access his or her unit.

Ripley authorized Bohrer to access his unit by signing her name to the " authorized visitors"
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section of   his lease    of   that   unit.

2
    Because Bohrer challenges only the sufficiency of the evidence, we write these facts in the light
most favorable to the State. See State v. Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 ( 1992).

3 Bohrer authorized Ripley to access her unit, later revoked this authority, but then reinstated
Ripley' s access to her unit.

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No. 44347 -3 -II

          Almost every time that Bohrer visited the facility she drove a red Ford Explorer

registered in Bohrer' s and Ripley' s names. Ripley also drove the Explorer to the facility, but less

often than Bohrer.

C.        The Ahquins' Discovery ofthe Burglary

          On March 22, 2012, the Ahquins discovered that someone had replaced their unit' s

padlock with a new padlock. After a facility operator cut the new padlock, the Ahquins entered

their   unit and   discovered that "[ t]hings          were broken. The beds were flipped over. Everything

was     torn   out of   boxes."     4 Verbatim Report of Proceedings at 130. A large amount of the

Ahquins' property was missing, including their motorcycle and quad bike. Following the

Ahquins' discovery of the burglary, the facility operators and the Ahquins examined the PIN log
and surveillance video.

D.         The PIN Log and Surveillance Video

           The PIN log showed that Bohrer and Ripley' s unique PINs were used to repeatedly enter

and exit the facility from between March 15 at 6: 46 PM and March 16 at 11: 17 AM. During this

time range, Ripley' s PIN was used five times to enter and five times to exit, while Bohrer' s PIN

was used two times to enter and four times to exit.

           The surveillance video showed that on March 15 at 8: 12 PM, the Explorer towed away the

Ahquins' quad bike. The video showed that on March 16 at 9: 50 AM, Bohrer transported two

dollies loaded with property, including the Ahquins' suitcases and amplifier, into the building' s

elevator. The video showed that on March 16 at 10: 58 AM, Bohrer transported a dolly loaded

with    property,       including   a pair of   bolt   cutters and   the Ahquins'   cooler,   into the   elevator.
No. 44347 -3 - II

E.        The Searches ofBohrer' s and Ripley' s Units and the Explorer

          A facility operator cut the locks on Bohrer' s and Ripley' s units to allow the Ahquins to

look inside Bohrer' s and Ripley' s units without entering them. The Ahquins discovered some of

their property in both Bohrer' s and Ripley' s units. The Ahquins also discovered tracks from a

quad bike going from their unit to Ripley' s unit.

          The police later searched Ripley' s unit, Bohrer' s unit, and the Explorer pursuant to search

warrants.    In Ripley' s unit the police found a pair of bolt cutters and the Ahquins' motorcycle,

motorcycle accessories, bicycle, tools, suitcases, fog machine, air tanks, barbeque, and speakers.

In Bohrer' s unit the police found another pair of bolt cutters and the Ahquins' fishing equipment,

tools, tool case, and CD ( compact disc) rack. In the Explorer the police found the Ahquins'

paintball equipment, fishing pole, amplifiers, exercise equipment, and electronics.

F.        Trial and Conviction

          The State charged Bohrer with second degree burglary. The State also charged Bohrer

with possession of a stolen motor vehicle based on the Ahquins' stolen motorcycle found in

Ripley' s unit. The trial court instructed the jury on accomplice liability. The jury convicted

Bohrer on both counts. Bohrer appeals.

                                             DISCUSSION

           A claim of insufficiency admits the truth of the State' s evidence and all inferences that

reasonably    can      drawn therefrom." State v. Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068
                    be .

 1992).    Thus, we test the sufficiency of the evidence by asking whether, viewing the evidence

and all reasonable inferences from that evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any

rational trier of fact could have found the crime' s essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

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No. 44347 -3 - II

Salinas, 119 Wash. 2d           at   201.   We defer to the trier of fact' s decisions resolving which reasonable

inferences to draw from the evidence. State v. Bryant, 89 Wash. App. 857, 869, 950 P.2d 1004

 1998);   see State v. Walton, 64 Wash. App. 410, 415 -16, 824 P.2d 533 ( 1992).

          A defendant is liable as an accomplice if, with knowledge that it will promote or facilitate

the crime, he    or she either: (        1) solicits, commands, encourages, or requests another person to

commit the crime or ( 2) aids or agrees to aid another person in planning or committing the crime.

RCW 9A. 08. 020( 3)(         a).   The defendant must act with knowledge that he is facilitating the

specific crime charged, not              simply " a   crime."   State v. Cronin, 142 Wash. 2d 568, 578 -79, 14 P.3d
752 ( 2000). But an accomplice need not participate in the crime, have specific knowledge of

every element of the crime, or share the same mental state as the principal. State v. Berube, 150
Wash. 2d 498, 511, 79 P.3d 1144 ( 2003).                 Rather, an accomplice must merely act with the

knowledge that he or she is either promoting or facilitating a particular crime. Berube, 150
Wash. 2d at 511.

          Criminal liability is the same whether one acts as a principal or as an accomplice. State

v.         Baltazar, 125 Wash. 2d 472, 477, 886 P.2d 138 ( 1994).
     Silva -                                                                     Accomplice liability is not an

element or alternative means of committing a crime, but rather is an alternative theory of

liability.    State   v.   Teal, 152 Wash. 2d 333, 338, 96 P.3d 974 ( 2004);           State v. Williams, 28 Wash. App.
209, 213, 622 P.2d 885 ( 1981). "             It is constitutionally permissible to charge a person as a

principal and convict him as an accomplice, as long as the court instructs the jury on accomplice

liability."    State   v.   Bobenhouse, 143 Wn.          App.   315,   324, 177 P.3d 209 ( 2008).
No. 44347 -3 -II

         Where the court instructs the jury on accomplice liability, the jury can convict without

reaching consensus on whether the defendant committed a crime as a principal or as an

accomplice; as long as each juror can agree that the defendant committed the crime in at least

one of   those two   ways.   State   v.   McDonald, 138 Wash. 2d 680, 690, 981 P.2d 443 ( 1999). Thus,

the evidence is sufficient as long as it shows that the defendant must have committed the crime

in at least one of those two ways.

         Bohrer argues that insufficient evidence supports her burglary conviction as a principal

and an accomplice, and that insufficient evidence supports her conviction for possession of a

stolen vehicle as a principal. We hold that sufficient evidence supports both convictions.

                                                    I. BURGLARY

         Bohrer argues that insufficient evidence supports her burglary conviction because

sufficient evidence supports neither that she entered the Ahquins' unit, nor that she aided

Ripley' s burglary of the Ahquins' unit. We disagree.

         RCW 9A.52. 030( 1) defines second degree burglary:

         A person is guilty of burglary in the second degree if, with intent to commit a
         crime against a person or property therein, he or she enters or remains unlawfully
         in a building other than a vehicle or a dwelling.

         From between March 15 at 6: 46 PM and March 16 at 11: 17 AM, both Bohrer' s and

Ripley' s PINs were used to repeatedly enter and exit the facility. On March 15 at 8: 12 PM, the

video showed the Explorer registered in Ripley' s and Bohrer' s names towing the Ahquins' quad

bike. On the morning of March 16, the video showed Bohrer transporting three dollies into the

building' s elevator, each loaded with property, including the Ahquins' property. The Ahquins

were   missing   a quad   bike,   and   tracks   from   a quad   bike   went   from the Ahquins'   unit   to   Ripley' s
No. 44347 -3 - II

unit. Numerous items of the Ahquins' property were found in Bohrer' s unit, Ripley' s unit, and

the Explorer. Bolt cutters were found in both Bohrer' s and Ripley' s units.

         This is sufficient evidence that Bohrer and Ripley, with criminal intent to steal property

from the Ahquins' unit, worked together to unlawfully enter and steal property from the

Ahquins' unit. At least one of them entered the Ahquins' unit to steal the property. Thus, the

jury could reasonably infer that Bohrer either unlawfully entered the Ahquins' unit with intent to

commit a crime against the Ahquins' property therein, or aided Ripley in unlawfully entering the

Ahquins' unit with intent to commit a crime against the Ahquins' property therein (knowing that

her   acts would   facilitate Ripley'   s   burglary). The former establishes Bohrer' s guilt as a principal,

and the latter establishes her guilt as an accomplice. Because the evidence proves that at least

one of these two theories must be true, it need not establish which is true. See' McDonald, 138
Wash. 2d at 690. Thus, sufficient evidence supports Bohrer' s burglary conviction.

                                    II. POSSESSION OF A STOLEN VEHICLE

         Bohrer argues that insufficient evidence supports her conviction for possession of a stolen

vehicle as a principal because the evidence supports neither that she possessed the Ahquins'

motorcycle found in Ripley' s unit, nor that she knowingly possessed the motorcycle with

knowledge that it was stolen. We disagree.

A.       The Law ofPossession ofa Stolen Vehicle

         RCW 9A.56. 068( 1) defines possession of a stolen vehicle:

         A person is guilty of possession of a stolen vehicle if he or she possess
          possesses] a stolen motor vehicle.

 Alteration in     original.)   RCW 9A.56. 140( 1) defines what it means to " possess" stolen property:

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No. 44347 -3 - II

              Possessing stolen property" means knowingly to receive, retain, possess,
             conceal, or dispose of stolen property knowing that it has been stolen and to
             withhold or appropriate the same to the use of any person other than the true
             owner or person entitled thereto.

             Possession can be actual or constructive. A person has actual possession when he or she

has physical custody of the item and constructive possession when he or she has dominion and

control over      the   item. State   v.   Jones, 146 Wash. 2d   at   328, 333, 45 P.3d 1062 ( 2002). Dominion

and control need not be exclusive; the State can establish it through circumstantial evidence.

State   v.   Wood, 45 Wn.     App.    299, 312, 725 P.2d 435 ( 1986).      A person' s leasing of a premises

allows the trier of fact to reasonably infer that the person has dominion and control over that

premises, which in turn allows the trier of fact to reasonably infer that the person has dominion

and control over items within that premises. See State v. Cantabrana, 83 Wash. App. 204, 208,

921 P.2d 572 ( 1996);       State v. Davis 16 Wash. App. 657, 659, 558 P.2d 263 ( 1977).

             To prove that a defendant " possessed" stolen property, the State must prove that the

defendant knowingly possessed property with knowledge that it was stolen. RCW 9A.56. 140;

State   v.   Plank, 46 Wn.    App.    728, 731, 731 P.2d 1170 ( 1987).       Mere possession of recently stolen

property is insufficient to establish that the possessor knew the property was stolen. See State v.

Couet, 71 Wash. 2d 773, 775, 430 P.2d 974 ( 1967).                 But possession of recently stolen property,

coupled with any other circumstantial evidence tending to show guilt sufficiently proves

knowledge. See Couet, 71 Wash. 2d at 775 -76. The fact finder may reasonably infer knowledge if

 a reasonable person would            have knowledge    under similar circumstances."       State v. Womble, 93
Wash. App. 599, 604, 969 P.2d 1097 ( 1999).

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No. 44347 -3 - II

B.      Application to Bohrer' s Case

        Here, the police found the Ahquins' motorcycle in the unit leased by Ripley, and Ripley

had authorized Bohrer' s access to this unit by signing her name to the " authorized visitors"

section of his lease. This evidence supports that Bohrer had equal access to the unit leased by

Ripley, which allows the jury to reasonably infer that she, along with Ripley, had dominion and

control over that unit. This in turn allows the jury to reasonably infer that Bohrer had dominion

and control over the Ahquins' motorcycle found within that unit. Thus, sufficient evidence

supports that Bohrer constructively possessed the motorcycle.

        Both Bohrer' s and Ripley' s PINs were used to repeatedly enter and exit the facility. The

facilities' surveillance video showed Bohrer at the building transporting the Ahquins' property

and the Explorer towing away the Ahquins' quad bike. Numerous items of the Ahquins'

property were found in Bohrer' s unit, Ripley' s unit, and the Explorer, and bolt cutters were

found in both Bohrer' s and Ripley' s units. This evidence sufficiently supports that Bohrer

worked with Ripley to enter and steal property from the Ahquins' unit, and that she was present

at the crime scene.

        A reasonable person under circumstances similar to Bohrer, i.e., a person who worked

with a partner to enter and steal items from a storage unit and who was present at the crime

scene, would know that property as large and as valuable as a motorcycle was stolen from that

unit and that such property was placed in her constructive possession. Thus, the evidence allows

the jury to reasonably infer that Bohrer knowingly possessed the Ahquins' motorcycle with

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No. 44347 - - II
           3

knowledge that it was stolen, making that evidence sufficient to support Bohrer' s conviction for

possession of a stolen vehicle.

        We affirm.

        A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

2. 06. 040, it is so ordered.

We concur:

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