Man sentenced for stealing 3 cars from dealership
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REXBURG — A Washington native has been convicted and sentenced for breaking into a car dealership and stealing three cars.
Robert J. Mathews, 28, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and petit theft and was sentenced March 5.
He originally had three felony charges and four misdemeanors including burglary, grand theft, malicious injury to property, petit theft, and three charges of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Madison Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood tells EastIdahoNews.com the state recommended Mathews serve 2 years fixed and five years indeterminate prison time.
“We recommended that not only due to the severity of this crime, but due to his criminal history which was extensive,” Wood says.
District Judge Gregory Moeller agreed with the state’s recommendations and retained jurisdiction. Mathews will serve time on a rider, which is an in-prison treatment program that could last from 6 months to one year.
Mathews will also have to pay restitution on all charges.
Authorities arrested Mathews in October after a break-in and vandalism report at Smart Cents Auto Sales where three cars were stolen and car windows were shattered. Mathews has an extensive criminal background in the state of Washington.