A judge sentenced a burglar captured by a Pacific Beach resident to 150 days in county jail Wednesday, June 18.
Matthew Dale Scott, 28, of Leucadia was also fined $1,326 and given credit for 63 days already spent in jail, including time off for good behavior. San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth placed him on three year’s probation and ordered him to pay $1,127 in supervision costs.
Scott was arrested May 7 after he was found inside PB Tax Services taking money from a desk. Owner Darin Wilkinson walked in on Scott and asked him what he was doing inside the closed business stuffing money in his pocket.
According to court documents, Scott told Wilkinson he was looking for a bathroom and it was his money.
Wilkinson grabbed Scott in attempt to hold him for police, but the two started scuffling, which left Scott with a cut under one of his eyes and a torn shirt. Scott ran out of the building with Wilkinson following, but Scott managed to get away.
Police began searching for Scott and a police helicopter began broadcasting a description of the suspect’s appearance.
Resident Tyler Smith was in his front yard on Reed Street near Cass Street when he heard the broadcast. Moments later, the suspect ran by. Smith grabbed the man and put him in a headlock and held him for police.
Scott was arrested and the money stolen from Wilkinson’s business was recovered.
The judge ordered Scott to pay $55 to Wilkinson for damages to his office door where Scott had broken inside. Smyth also ordered Scott to abstain from alcohol for the next three years.
“I unlawfully pushed another person and entered a building with the intent to commit a theft,” Scott wrote in a court document.
The prosecutor did not oppose the felony conviction to be reduced to a misdemeanor if he is his 18-month probation is completed successfully. According to his probation report, Scott, who works in construction, has a prior misdemeanor theft conviction in Arizona.
The sheriff’s department said Scott’s projected release date is Aug. 1.