Felony charges filed in Thornton State Beach fence case; new questions about real estate investor

February 28, 2026 - 19:32

Felony vandalism and conspiracy charges have been filed in a contentious case involving a fence blocking public access to Thornton State Beach in Daly City. The legal action intensifies a complex property battle centered on a real estate investor, Luke Brugnara.

The core of the dispute involves a narrow strip of land Brugnara obtained, which he then used to erect barriers cutting off a historic trail to the beach. Representatives for the family that owns the majority of the surrounding land allege Brugnara exploited internal family tensions to acquire his parcel. They contend the situation has been manipulated to create a private dispute where none previously existed.

Further complicating the case, new questions have surfaced regarding the legality of the original property transfer to Brugnara. Investigative sources indicate the deed for the small slice of land he received "for free" may itself be invalid, potentially undermining his claim entirely.

The felony charges underscore the severity with which authorities are treating the blockage of coastal access, a fiercely protected right in California. The case continues to develop as prosecutors examine the property's tangled history and the methods used to obtain it.