Wilmington man sentenced for breaking into the same home twice

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On Thursday, a Wilmington man pled guilty to first degree burglary, breaking and entering, and felony larceny.

According to the DA’s office, the events occurred on May 26th at a residence on Playa Way. A Robeson County Superior Court Judge sentenced 37-year-old John Mann to at least 8 years in prison along with restitution as park of work release or post release supervision.

The victim reported that he was asleep in his bedroom with the door locked when he heard someone enter his apartment and attempt to kick in the bedroom door. The victim yelled out and heard a male voice then heard the suspect flee the apartment. A TV, wallet containing credit cards, and car keys had been taken along with the victim’s Subaru Crosstrek.

The stolen vehicle was tracked and the Wilmington Police Department STING Center located video footage of the stolen car. Mann was apprehended in the car shortly thereafter in the area of Clay Street.

Mann confessed to breaking into the apartment twice on the same day. He said he had been riding his bike around 3:00 a.m. when he first broke in. That’s when he stole the victim’s wallet and keys. He left the residence on his bike to Sun Aire Court, ditching his bike and walking back to the residence then stealing the car. Mann then stole drove the car back to Sun Aire Court where he picked up his co-defendant Laura Burns. The two used the victim’s credit cards to purchase gas and cigarettes. The two returned to the apartment on Playa Way and entered again which is when he heard the victim yell out.

Mann’s criminal record included prior convictions for felony drug possession, breaking and entering, larceny, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony flee to elude arrest.