Vancouver man accused of breaking into home twice in court

UPDATE: Andrew R. Gilbert was sentenced Feb. 8, 2019, in Clark County Superior Court to a year of community custody under the Parenting Sentencing Alternative, which waived his standard sentencing range. He pleaded guilty Jan. 3, 2019, to residential burglary, according to court records.

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A Vancouver man who allegedly broke into his neighbor’s house twice and was found each time sneaking down the hallway made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court.

Andrew R. Gilbert, 37, faces an allegation of first-degree burglary in connection with the Aug. 16 incident.

Rafael Blancas-Prado called 911 about 11:10 p.m. to report that a neighbor had assaulted him and his female roommate at their home in the 7600 block of Northeast 157th Avenue. Blancas-Prado told Clark County sheriff’s deputies that he was watching TV in the living room about 5 a.m., with all of the lights off, when he noticed a shadowy figure pass by and head down the hall. He initially thought it was his brother, he said, but realized it was an odd hour for him to be up, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

He went to investigate and found Gilbert, his neighbor, in the hallway. He asked Gilbert what he was doing in the house, and Gilbert replied, “I will come in this house if I (expletive) want to,” the affidavit states.

The men began arguing as Gilbert left, and Gilbert threatened to beat Blancas-Prado, court records said.

Blancas-Prado said he recognized Gilbert because his female roommate watches Gilbert’s child, according to the court document.

Then, at about 11 p.m., Blancas-Prado said he was again sitting in the living room watching TV in the dark when he saw a shadowy figure walk down the hall out of the corner of his eye. He heard a noise and went to investigate. Blancas-Prado said he saw Gilbert in his roommate’s room “with his hands on her,” the affidavit states.

He pulled Gilbert off of his roommate and punched him as Gilbert charged at him. They tussled out of the bedroom, down the hall and out the front door into the yard. At some point, Blancas-Prado’s glasses were smashed into his face, causing a scratch on the right side of his nose, according to court records.

During his hearing, Gilbert’s bail was set at $25,000. He will be arraigned Aug. 29.