WOODLAND HILLS : Ex-Convict Gets 37 Years in Burglary

An ex-convict with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to 37 years in prison Friday for committing a residential burglary in Woodland Hills only three weeks after he was released from prison.

Walter Buketov, 43, received the maximum term of six years for his conviction on the burglary charge. But Superior Court Judge James M. Coleman added 31 years because Buketov has been previously convicted on seven burglary-related offenses.

Police said Buketov and an accomplice were arrested earlier this year after they were observed burglarizing a home on MacFarlane Lane in Woodland Hills. Police conducted an undercover surveillance which was in place for only six hours before the crime was committed, according to authorities.

Buketov’s rented room in Woodland Hills was searched, and police found two mink coats and jewelry they believe was stolen in other burglaries.

“When they searched his motel they found a warehouse,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. David Mintz.

In asking for the maximum possible sentence of 43 years, Mintz said that Buketov has been sentenced seven times to state prison, and was also returned to custody four times after violating his parole.

Buketov’s criminal record goes back to 1973 when he was convicted of attempted residential burglary. In addition to the burglary which led to Friday’s sentence, Buketov has been convicted of residential burglary four times, attempted burglary twice, and once for receiving stolen property.

While acknowledging that Coleman was forced under the law to add at least 30 years to Buketov’s burglary sentence, defense attorney Dror Toister called the total prison term “mind-boggling.”

Buketov will be eligible for parole in about 18 years.

Buketov’s co-defendant, Danny Ibarra, 21, of El Monte, was sentenced Friday to nine years--four for the burglary and five extra years because he has a prior robbery conviction.