A teenager will spend some time in county jail after stealing items from the inside of unlocked vehicles in Dowagiac last winter.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced 17-year-old Paris Antonio Garcia to 210 days in jail and 18 months of probation Friday, on two charges of larceny from a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and breaking and entering a vehicle to steal more than $200. Garcia pleaded guilty to the crimes on April 7.

The thefts took place between Nov. 27 and Dec. 3 within the city. Garcia told the court during plea that he was walking by vehicles, snooping inside them and taking whatever valuables he saw out of those automobiles that were unlocked, Herman said.

Among the items Garcia stole were headphones, cell phones and a gun.

In spite of his age, Garcia racked up a criminal record as juvenile, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of a building, assaulting/resisting police and possession of marijuana, said Cass County Assistant Prosecutor Sarah Mathews. Due to his record and the fact that he stole a firearm, potentially endangering the lives of others, Mathews recommended that the judge go above the probation department’s suggested sentence and give Garcia a year in jail, plus probation.

Robert Drake, Garcia’s attorney, pushed for the judge to impose the lesser jail time on his client, as his time locked up in the adult system has been an effective teacher.

“For a 17-year-old, who has never spent time locked up in that situation, I think that it is not accurate that another 100 days would make that time any worse than it has already been,” Drake said. “The jail is not a fun place. It is not a place that Mr. Garcia has taken to like it’s a vacation.”

While Garcia initially declined to speak when Herman gave him the opportunity, the judge asked the defendant if he had learned anything since he was locked up for the thefts.

“It’s taught me the difference between being a kid and being a man,” Garcia answered. “You can’t mess up too much. They gave me a lot of leeway as a kid, and I took advantage of that. I don’t have that wiggle room now.”

Herman decided to follow the state’s sentencing recommendation and give Garcia the lower jail sentence. However, he told the defendant that now was the time to shape up and give up thievery for good.

“It’s not rocket science,” Herman said. “Just respect other people and their property, the same way you want them to respect you.”

Herman ordered Garcia to pay $499 worth of restitution as well. The defendant was given 183 days credit for time already served behind bars.