A 19-year-old Gardnerville man was sentenced to a suspended 12-month sentence in Douglas County Jail for breaking into a machine shop and damaging locks.
Matthew Dean Gilbert Alley told Judge Pro Tem Paul Gilbert he had apologized three times to Larry Borowick, owner of the Gardnerville machine shop. He also has paid $100 toward $627 restitution.
Alley was arrested June 1 after a neighbor reported seeing someone with a flashlight entering the shop at 11 p.m.
Deputies found a vehicle registered to Alley near the shop. They got his cell phone number from his wallet in the vehicle and called him.
Alley answered from inside the shop but told deputies he was walking to a friend's house. They watched the rear of the building as he exited and arrested him.
He pleaded guilty to trespassing and destruction of property.
Owner Larry Borowick said he wanted restitution and hoped Alley had learned his lesson.
"I believe everybody should have a second chance," Borowick said. "I hope he learned something. That's why I didn't follow through on a felony."
Borowick said he considered Alley and his family as friends.
"I don't understand why he did this. He said he needed money. Why was he ripping off somebody helping him?" Borowick asked.
Alley's lawyer Derrick Lopez said his client had no explanation for his behavior and was grateful to Borowick.
"It's a big wakeup call," Alley said.
Gilbert sentenced Alley to two consecutive six-month terms in Douglas County Jail, suspended, and placed him on probation for one year.
In addition to restitution, Alley was fined $135. He is subject to search and seizure for possession of stolen property and must violate no laws.
"You could spend a year in jail," Gilbert said. "Only one person can make that decision and that is you. Stop smoking dope and don't make victims out of people who are friends of your family."
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