A Mentmore man who broke in to a local motel and made himself at home in a first-floor room received a suspended sentence on the matter, according to a court outcome.
Eric Begaye, 23, went before 11th Judicial Court Judge Robert Aragon Sept. 22 and pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
Begaye was initially arrested on Dec. 30, 2015, and charged with breaking and entering. After being released from the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, Begaye was required to check into the Na’nizhoozhi Center, Inc., commonly called NCI, for detox treatment.
What Happened?
Begaye broke into Room 135 at the Microtel Inn & Suites, 3270 W. Hwy. 66, apparently with the intention of getting some rest and escaping the cold, Deepak Mehta, owner of Microtel Inn, said.
Mehta said he checked a paid guest into the room, only to discover that Begaye had broken the window to gain entry. Apparently, Begaye entered the room from the backside of the motel, which is how he was able to go unnoticed.
When Begaye encountered Mehta, he began walking quickly out of the room, according to court documents. A hotel staffer caught up to him and kept him under wraps until police arrived.
Under the plea agreement, Begaye is required to pay for the window damages, which amounts to about $250, Mehta said.
Aragon sentenced Begaye to six months in jail, but suspended that sentence and placed him under supervised probation for six months.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
