By Jorge Casuso

March 5, 2024 -- LA County prosecutors on Tuesday charged Anthony Romero, 28, with burglary and indecent exposure after he broke into an Ocean Park house early Thursday and masturbated next to the victim's bed.

Romero, a homeless parolee who was arrested by Santa Monica Police on Friday morning, is being held in a Los Angeles jail on $1 million bond, according to LA County inmate records.

He was previously arrested by Santa Monica police in January 2022 for shoplifting and in June 2023 for public intoxication, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and violation of parole, according to police.

Romero is on parole in San Bernardino County for a weapons violation, said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

The LA County District Attorney filed two felony charges on Tuesday -- one for burglary, the other "because he exposed himself during a burglary," Aklufi said.

"Otherwise, indecent exposure is a misdemeanor," she noted.

According to Aklufi, Romero entered the residence in the 2400 block of 2nd Street at around 2:10 a.m.

"The victim awoke to the subject standing by her bed and touching her face while he masturbated," she said.

"The victim ordered the subject to leave, and he complied, fleeing the area before officers arrived."

Officers arrested Romero Friday morning Downtown after identifying him from surveillance footage ("Parolee Arrested for Burglary, Attempted Rape," March 4, 2024).

He was arraigned Tuesday morning at the LAX Courthouse.