19-year-old Austin burglar gets probation

Published 12:58 pm Saturday, August 5, 2017

An Austin man who pleaded guilty to a burglary charge was sentenced to five years of probation in Mower County District Court on Thursday.

Christian Alfonso Manzano, 19, pleaded guilty to felony theft and misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal damage to property on June 8. He was sentenced to 53 days in jail for the property damage charge, but was given credit for 53 days served.

Manzano Christian

As part of his probation, he must follow 24 conditions, perform 40 hours of community service and pay $1,585 in restitution and fees.

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According to the court report, police responded to a burglary call at a residence in the 600 block of North Main Street at 4:51 a.m. on Oct. 5. The victims told police that Manzano and two other men had been at their apartment earlier that night. One of the victims decided to go to the gym while the other wanted to get something to eat.

All five men exited the apartment, but one victim said that Manzano and another man, David Michael Mattson-Fuller, 18, of Austin, were standing outside the building when he locked the apartment.

When he returned home, the door to the residence was open. A boot print on the door indicated it had been kicked in. The victim said the apartment was “messed up” and that his PlayStation 4, 10 PlayStation 4 games and some clothing valued at about $1,400 was missing.

Police interviewed the other man who had been at the apartment with the victims, Manzano and Mattson-Fuller, who said he noticed Manzano and Matsson-Fuller staying near the parking lot in an old Chevrolet pick-up truck. He told police he believed they were staying at a residence in the 200 block of Second Street Northwest.

Officers found Manzano and Mattson-Fuller at the residence and interviewed them. Mattson-Fuller denied going to the victim’s apartment, but Manzano gave a conflicting story. Both men eventually admitted to stealing the victim’s property, but blamed the other for kicking in the door. The victim’s property was recovered and Manzano and Mattson-Fuller were arrested.

Mattson-Fuller was sentenced to five years of probation for felony theft on March 16.  He was also convicted of misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal damage to property, but received no pronounced sentence. As part of his probation, he must follow 27 conditions and perform 40 hours of community service.