A 26-year-old North Carolina man who stole a car last March from Prothro Chevrolet and led police on a high speed chase that ended with a crash in Florence pleaded guilty to charges Monday and was sentenced to 4 years in prison and ordered to pay $16,015 in restitution.
Antonio Morrissey of Turkey, N.C., pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, failure to stop for a blue light and possession of a stolen vehicle before Circuit Court Judge Ferrell Cothran.
Assistant Solicitor Warren Anderson told Cothran that video from March 9, 2013, showed Morrissey stole a 2012 Chevy Malibu and crashed through a gate at the Manning dealership. He also left DNA evidence at the scene, Anderson said, and destroyed the stolen car when he wrecked into other cars in Florence.
Public Defender Scott Robinson said Morrissey was hooked on prescription drugs and was under the influence of pills at the time of the incident.
"It helps explain why someone would do something this stupid," Robinson said.
Pro Prothro said the car, valued at $14,025, was totaled, and the gate was destroyed as well, brining the amount of damage done to $16,015.
Cothran gave Morrissey credit for time already served.
"Good luck," he added as a shackled Morrissey was led away to prison.
