Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Friday, March 15, 2024, Angel Lahoz, age 36, of Newburgh, was sentenced in the Orange County Court to twelve years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision after having been previously convicted after a jury trial of Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree.

As alleged at trial, on January 2, 2023, a City of Newburgh resident was home alone when she heard noises coming from her living room. She saw a man in her living room going through her purse. As the man walked through the house, the victim saw that the man was the defendant, a relative of hers. Lahoz grabbed a machete and then approached the victim and threw her to the floor. Lahoz returned to the living room and dropped the weapon which allowed the victim to call the police. The victim’s husband and brother arrived and took Lahoz outside, where the police took him into custody. It was later determined that Lahoz had entered the home by breaking a bedroom window.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police for their investigation and the arrest of Lahoz.

“Breaking into someone’s home to commit a crime is a violent and terrifying offense,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “While no one was injured as a result of the defendant’s actions, I hope that the sentence imposed will offer the victims a degree of closure. I commend the work of the police and prosecutors who handled this case and made sure a frequent recidivist was held responsible for his criminal behavior. My Office will always prioritize the prosecution of violent felonies and those offenders who drive crime in our communities.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Milza and Assistant District Attorney Aragon Vicenty, who prosecuted the case.