BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A man faces up to 22 years in prison after being convicted of breaking into a Lake Isabella home while a family was inside and taking the keys to their vehicle in 2024.
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said on November 20, 2025, a Kern County jury found Herbert Brown guilty of first-degree residential burglary, first-degree robbery, vandalism of more than $400, and resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer.
The DA’s office said additionally, the court found true the allegation of a prior robbery strike offense.
According to the DA’s office, in the early morning hours of April 23, 2024, in Lake Isabella, the victim was outside her house when she was approached by Herbert Brown, who demanded the keys to one of the family vehicles. When the victim refused, Brown became very angry and began waving a metal bar in her direction.
The victim went back inside her home for safety and woke up her husband. The DA’s office said that at this time, Brown forced his way inside the home by throwing a rock through the glass door. He continued to threaten the victim and her family, including their children, while armed with the metal bar in pursuit of the keys to the vehicle.
After getting the keys, Brown drove off with the family vehicle, causing more damage to the victim’s property in the process.
Deputies were able to find Brown at his home. When commanded to exit the vehicle, Brown refused to cooperate for up to an hour. Brown was ultimately arrested with the help of a canine unit.
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented by saying, “The Three Strikes Law was created with offenders like Brown in mind, individuals who continuously demonstrate that they pose a threat to public safety. As a prior strike offender, Brown now faces more severe consequences at sentencing.”
Brown’s sentencing is set for December 22, 2025, where he faces up to 22 years in prison.