Walgreens Thief Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

With 17 prior convictions, Chauncey Smith was still roaming the streets in 2010. He had been awaiting trial on theft charges since then, but a court decision late last week will keep him behind bars a while longer.

In November of 2010, Smith stole a television from Walgreens in Millbrae. An officer approached him but he was able to run away and escape.

That same day, he was seen in Kohl's in Redwood City pushing a stroller with no baby and stealing another television. He tried again the next day and was caught.

Smith has been in and out of court since then with various sentencing ideas thrown around. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office originally asked for nine years and eight months in state prison.

By the end of last week it was decided that Smith's official sentence is five years and four months in state prison with 644 days of credit for time served. He was also ordered to pay $299.00 restitution to Kohl’s, $240 restitution fund fine, $120 court security fine, and a $90 criminal conviction fine.

Do you think someone with 17 priors should get more than five years? Tell us in the comments!