An Austin man who broke into the El Parral Ballroom on Fourth Street NE on May 7 was sentenced to five years’ probation and must complete 80 hours of community service.

Joseph Dama, 25, was convicted of a gross misdemeanor for obstructing the legal process and received a stay of imposition for third-degree burglary.

According to the court complaint, police responded to an alarm at El Parral and went to the front doors. They saw Dama coming toward the door, but he retreated back into the building when he saw the officers. Officers waited for backup to surround the building and then used K-9 Bosco to find Dama after about an hour of searching. They also had to spray Dama with a chemical irritant to get him to cooperate, the complaint states.

Dama reportedly hid two $10 rolls of quarters behind some insulation, along with a knife, lighter and a purple bag.