Trespasser Caught by Wachs, Deliveryman Pleads Guilty

The man whose attempt to break into Joel Wachs’ house was foiled by the councilman and a Sparkletts driver pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor trespass, battery and drunk driving.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bob Cohen said burglary charges were dropped against Michael Peter Hannmann because authorities could not prove his intent.

“He was banging on the door, saying, ‘This is my house, let me in,’ ” before he broke the councilman’s window, Cohen said. The defendant’s blood-alcohol level was 0.19%, more than twice the legal limit, when he was arrested May 21, authorities said.

Hannmann had spent the previous night at another house in the Studio City neighborhood but had left in the morning as the neighbor was getting ready for work, said Cohen, adding that Hannmann may have mistaken Wachs’ house for the neighbor’s.

To get a burglary conviction, prosecutors would have had to prove Hannmann was trying to get into the house to steal or commit another felony, Cohen said.

Wachs held a press conference after the incident, telling reporters he was enjoying a cup of coffee just before 9 a.m. when he heard breaking glass.

Wachs, who said Hannmann was “obsessed with getting inside the house,” said he grabbed a long kitchen knife and ran outside, wearing only a bathrobe and slippers.

Wachs said he ran into Mohsen Lavizani, who was delivering a bottle of Sparkletts water to a neighbor.

As Hannmann tried to get away in a white station wagon, Lavizani said he stopped his green truck in the middle of the road to block his path. But Hannmann managed to drive around the truck.

Wachs said he got in Lavizani’s truck and the pair pursued Hannmann along Wrightwood Drive. During the chase, two Los Angeles Police Department squad cars drove up and the officers captured Hannmann.

The battery charges involve Wachs’ neighbor, Steven Schamones. Cohen said Schamones during the evening had attempted to get Hannmann to go home and the defendant punched him.

Wachs could not be in court for Thursday’s hearing because he was out of town. But Cohen said the councilman was willing to cancel his trip if necessary to aid in the prosecution.

Municipal Judge Jessica Silvers sentenced Hannmann to 60 days in County Jail and ordered him to complete an alcohol program and stay away from Schamones, Wachs and their Studio City neighborhood.