ESCANABA — The 20-year-old man charged with breaking and entering at Sav-Mor IGA in August was sentenced to a jail term Wednesday during a Delta County Circuit Court hearing.

The original sentencing took place Monday. It had to be resumed Wednesday due to an error relating to the official charge.

Anthony Gregory Shalifoe, 20, of N15197 Pine Drive, Wilson, pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering a building with intent.

He had also admitted to being a habitual offender, but after the court took a harder look at Shalifoe’s criminal record, there was no other previous felony conviction to allow for the notice. It was officially removed from his charge during Wednesday’s proceedings. This did not change Shalifoe’s sentence.

Shalifoe was sentenced to 12 months in Delta County Correctional Facility with credit of 194 days already served.

He will be placed on probation for two years.

Considering the nature and severity of Shalifoe’s crime and his previous history of serving very little time for other crimes, Delta County Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos added the stipulation that if Shalifoe has one probation violation he will be sent to prison.

“You’ve sat for two days in jail (for previous crimes) until this,” Economopoulos said. “And it begs the question, whether going easy on somebody when they start breaking the law is the right message to send. In your case, going easy on you didn’t send any message.”

He noted Shalifoe was on probation for a previous conviction of retail fraud, where he served no time, when he burglarized Sav-Mor IGA.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, Shalifoe broke into Sav-Mor IGA, located at 306 Stephenson Ave., Escanaba. Photos of a suspect in the burglary, captured from video taken by the store’s surveillance cameras, were posted by Escanaba Public Safety.

On Friday, Aug. 23, officers received tips from the posting — some of which identified Shalifoe.

Investigators executed a search warrant at an Escanaba apartment. They found stolen property and evidence from the Sav-Mor break-in.

After the search, Shalifoe turned himself in to authorities. He was lodged at the Delta County Correctional Facility on a $10,000 cash bond.

During his arraignment on Aug. 26, his bond increased to $20,000 cash or surety.

Shalifoe had taken a plea deal in December where he had pleaded guilty to the charge. In exchange, the prosecution would not pursue an additional charge of larceny in a building.

During the hearing Monday, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman brought to light more facts relating to the case.

She described Shalifoe using a cement block to break through two doors to enter the local store.

“After going inside the first time, Mr. Shalifoe stole items, then he left the store, came back, took more items, left the store, came back, took more items for a total of three times,” Wickman said, adding he took what he could carry and returned to get more each time.

Shalifoe’s defense attorney, Jayne Mackowiak, explained to the court her client is a budding alcoholic that had no idea he had even broken into Sav-Mor IGA.

According to Mackowiak, Shalifoe did not realize what he had done until he saw the photos on Facebook when family members brought it to his attention.

“He turned himself in, in this — even though he doesn’t remember it. Only because he saw himself on Facebook. That’s how he found out … from family members. He’s a binge drinker, which are the worst kind,” she said.

Before sentencing occurred, Shalifoe was given an opportunity to address the court.

“I did use my time in jail to reflect on myself and where my life was heading and the situation I put myself in and where I want my life to go,” he said.

He also apologized and admitted to having a problem with alcohol.

Despite Shalifoe’s display of remorse for his actions, Economopoulos added another stipulation of having to write an apology letter to the owners of Sav-Mor IGA. Economopoulos ordered the letter because Shalifoe never directly mentioned or apologized to the victims in the case.

Shalifoe was also ordered to pay $4,302.38 in restitution.