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A woman who pleaded no contest to seven felonies in four different cases of theft or fraud at San Mateo County retail stores was sentenced to four months in jail and five years of supervised probation Friday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
In what her defense attorney Brandon Douglass described as an emotional hearing, 34-year-old Alissa Thomas acknowledged the serious nature of her crimes and expressed a desire for her daughter to have the life she wasn’t able to have. Because his client has taken several steps to get her life back on track, Douglass was appreciative of Judge Donald Ayoob’s willingness to understand the challenges Thomas has faced throughout her life.
“Ms. Thomas has had a really difficult life and has made these tremendous strides,” he said. “It was really powerful to see the court’s recognition of everything she has done to turn her life around.”
On Jan. 7, 2016, Thomas is believed to have stolen $952 worth of merchandise at a Safeway in Daly City and bit an employee on the hand during a struggle over the stolen goods.
She was later found with a stolen car in a Walgreens parking lot in San Carlos Aug. 8 when deputies were responding to a report of someone stealing.
While out on bail, she is said to have put $1,176 worth of merchandise into a shopping cart and attempted to return it at a CVS/pharmacy in Burlingame Nov. 5.
The clerk, who was suspicious, went to go see if any merchandise was missing and Thomas allegedly left the store with everything in the cart, according to prosecutors.
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On Dec. 27, Thomas allegedly brought a fish tank filter into a Daly City pet store and tried to return it for cash with a questionable receipt. When the store’s assistant manager refused, Thomas started screaming. Later, she repeatedly called the store, threatening to kill the victim and promising to stalk her for the rest of her life, prosecutors said.
On May 26, 2017, Thomas was allegedly observed stealing several boxes of liquor from a Safeway in San Mateo.
It was later determined that she had attempted to fraudulently return the alcohol inside the store. While fleeing the scene, she also dragged a San Mateo police officer from her car for roughly 30 feet.
The case was set to go to trial Aug. 7 when Thomas changed her mind and pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony attempted robbery, felony commercial burglary, felony assault on an officer, felony threats and felony auto theft, among other charges and enhancements.
Facing up to four years in state prison at her sentencing hearing Friday, Thomas allegedly apologized to the police officer and will receive 40 days credit for time served, according to prosecutors.
Douglass said Thomas’ daughter was born in the midst of her court proceedings and has changed Thomas’ life for the better, noting she now has a lot on the line in fulfilling her sentence.
Though District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said prosecutors asked Ayoob to consider a prison term, he noted Ayoob’s sentence afforded her second chance.
“As a society, we will all hope she takes advantage of it,” he said.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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