David Michael Smith, 49, of Cloquet was sentenced to 18 months in prison Wednesday in Carlton County Court on two separate felony charges of burglary in the second degree. Smith pleaded guilty to entering a home on Selmser Avenue in Cloquet during the daytime hours of Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, while the homeowner was away and taking a large container of coins as well as several bills. He also admitted to burglarizing that same residence on Sept. 21, at which time he took several thousand dollars in cash.
During Wednesday's sentencing, Smith apologized to the victim for invading her privacy on two separate occasions.
According to the complaint filed in the case, Cloquet Police were called to Selmser Avenue on Oct. 11 by a resident who said he observed a man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt get out of a van and attempt to pry open a sliding glass door on his house. When the complainant went to the door, he observed the man walk away and then go to the neighbor's house and attempt to pry open the door on that house, at which time the complainant called police.
When an officer was talking with the complainant, he observed a man meeting the description of the alleged intruder walking down the street with a large object under his arm. The complainant confirmed that the man was the same one who had gone up to his house and the neighboring house.
As police questioned the man, who identified himself as Smith, they noted the object he carried under his arm was a large cylinder with U.S. currency inside. At the time, Smith told officers he always carried money around with him.
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A further search yielded more money wadded up in both of Smith's pockets, as well as casino vouchers and personal checks made out to the resident of the neighboring house.
Another officer who arrived on the scene at that time recognized the property in Smith's possession as belonging to the homeowner of the neighboring house, stating he was aware that residence had also been burglarized earlier in September.
Smith was then taken into custody, and upon further questioning, admitted to the burglary, stating he was also responsible for the September burglary.
On Wednesday Judge Robert Macaulay ruled Smith will serve both of his sentences concurrently and granted him the right to serve them at the Northeast Regional Correction Center if he qualifies. Smith will be given credit for the 157 days he has already served in the Carlton County Jail. He must serve five years on probation and pay $10,074 in restitution to the victim as well as a $500 fine to the court.
As part of the plea agreement, two charges of felony theft against Smith were dismissed.
