Burglary Twins Released, Sent to Rehab

Alyssa and Andrea Nowak, the 24-year-old twins charged with burglarizing the residence of a Santa Barbara woman and stealing jewelry were released on their own recognizance last week so that they could check into separate Malibu rehab centers for treatment despite the objections of prosecuting attorney Darryl Perlin.

Prior to last week’s ruling, the twins were being held behind bars on bails of $150,000 and $250,000 respectively. Their attorneys argued they posed no flight risk and they would benefit from the drug rehabilitation and psychological counseling they clearly needed. Perlin argued there was no evidence to suggest that either of the twins was receptive to the benefits of such treatment, noting that one had been released from the Betty Ford Clinic shortly before burglarizing the home of a 26-year old Santa Barbara woman no less than four times. He also noted how many defendants now serving time lack the funds necessary to obtain the high priced therapy that the twins will now enjoy.