Brothers Accused in Burglary Scheduled to Return to Court

A preliminary hearing was scheduled today for a pair of brothers accused of assaulting and robbing two acquaintances in the victims' Oceanside home.

Brandon Joshua Erwin, 23, is charged with felony theft and felony first- degree robbery. His 22-year-old sibling, Stephen, is also charged with felony first-degree robbery, as well as being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, making a criminal threat indicating death or great bodily harm and misdemeanor battery.

If convicted, Brandon faces eight years in prison and Stephen faces 22 years, according to Deputy District Attorney Christy Bowles.

A judge will decide at the end of the preliminary hearing whether there's enough evidence to order the defendants to stand trial.

The brothers allegedly went to the residence in the 700 block of Palette Court late Dec. 16. After a man who lives in the home let them in, one of the brothers allegedly pistol-whipped him, and the victim's girlfriend was assaulted with an electric stun gun, Oceanside police Lt. Aaron Doyle said. The suspects then allegedly stole a wallet and a laptop computer and fled.

The couple, who were treated at the scene for minor injuries, directed police to a Vista Way motel where the Erwins were known to stay, and officers found the suspects there and took them into custody, the lieutenant said.

A woman with the Erwins also was arrested on an unrelated felony warrant. Her name was not released.

-- City News Service