The actor who played “Mr. Feeny” on the ABC sitcom “Boy Meets World” thwarted an attempted burglary at his San Fernando Valley home on Tuesday.

William Daniels and his wife were in their home Saturday night at about 9:20 p.m. when someone tried to kick in the back door, as was reported.

Daniels jumped up, turned on the lights and scared off the intruder, TMZ reported.  Police believe the attempted burglary at Daniels home was a random act and not tied to the string of recent celebrity break-ins across the city, TMZ reported.

Home burglary is a serious offense in Los Angeles.  It is even more serious if the home was occupied at the time of the burglary or attempted burglary.

Burglary (California Penal code 459) is defined as “entering any residential or commercial building or room with the intent to commit a felony or a theft once inside.”  A person does NOT need to actually commit the felony or theft once inside, it is sufficient that they simply entered with the required intent.

First-degree burglary is the burglary of a residence.  Since someone’s home is their “castle”, the law punishes, more significantly, the burglary of a residence.  First-degree burglary is a felony that is punishable by 2-4-6 years in state prison.  Additionally, a conviction for first-degree burglary counts as a “strike” for California’s Three Strikes law.

There are a number of reasons why you, or someone you know, may not have committed an actual burglary or may be guilty of some other, lesser, charge.  If you did not have the required intent to commit a theft or felony while in the structure, if you were mistaken as to where you were entering, if you were trying to retake items that were lawfully owned by you.

If you or someone you know has been charged with burglary, contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Ross Erlich as soon as possible.  Remember, facts of the case are important and they always differ between each case.  No two cases have the same set of facts, so call us today for your free case consultation.   Ross Erlich handles burglary cases in all courts throughout Southern California, including Airport Court, Van Nuys Court, San Fernando Court, CCB, Pasadena Court, and San Bernardino county