Clallam County Superior Court handed down two convictions March 11 for Vincent Sepulveda.

Sepulveda, 18, was sentenced to $1,700 in fines and 20 months in prison for the charge of burglary in the second degree, a class B felony. The charges originated from a Nov. 7 crime where

Sepulveda and his girlfriend, Era Vian, burglarized the Sequim Jack in the Box.

Vian was sentenced last week to $2,100 in fines and three months confinement for two felony charges, burglary in the second degree and malicious prosecution.

Jack in the Box management reported the theft on Nov. 7, 2007, unsure of the culprit’s identity. Vian, an employee at the time, said she had stolen the store key at the request of someone to whom she owed money, her roommate, adding that she had given him the key. Vian gave officers the name of the local man, who also used to work at the eatery.

The accused man resembled an image caught on store video surveillance and he was arrested, although he was adamant he had no knowledge of the burglary. It wasn’t until the next day when an officer who was off duty the day prior reviewed the surveillance tape that the police realized they had the wrong man. The officer recognized the clothes of the culprit as belonging to Sepulveda, Vian’s boyfriend at the time and also a former employee of Jack in the Box.

"At first we were steering in the wrong direction from witness testimony," crime prevention officer Maris Turner said after charges were filed. "But once we determined who were the actual suspects, the same people who were steering us in the wrong direction, (the accused) was immediately uncharged and released."

After questioning from officers, Sepulveda and Vian admitted to the crime. Sepulveda allegedly went into detail, stating Vian had given him the key to the store and the safe combination, which she memorized while watching management open the safe. Vian also confessed to making false statements regarding her acquaintance’s guilt.

Sepulveda was also sentenced March 11 to $1,150 in fines and 20 months in prison, to run concurrently with his other sentence, for two charges of burglary in the second degree and one of theft in the first degree, each class B felonies.

While investigating a July 22 report of burglary and theft, Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies found items from another reported burglary on that date in the Sepulveda’s possession.

When questioned, Sepulveda told deputies that he entered four buildings at three different locations during the early hours of July 22, with a 17-year-old accomplice.

Sunshine Herb and Lavender Farm was the first business hit during the crime spree, according to reports. Sepulveda’s grandparents, whom he recently lived with, own the farm. There was no forced entry but approximately $3,060 worth of merchandise and cash was stolen. Then the pair reportedly entered a Blyn shed and large workshop containing four vehicles and allegedly took $1,845 worth of merchandise.