Showboat burglar sentenced to probation
May 23—A Rock Falls, Ill., man who broke into the Clinton Area Showboat Theater and the Riverside Bandshell in March was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation.
Robert Michael Keister, 34, who pleaded guilty on April 3 to two counts of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, was sent to the Residential Corrections Facility after his sentencing hearing in Clinton County District Court.
He was sentenced to pair of suspended prison terms of up to 5 years apiece that would run concurrently if his probation is revoked. Fines with surcharges totaling of more than $2,050 were also suspended.
Terms of his probation include obtaining a substance abuse evaluation and completing any recommended treatment, completing the Residential Corrections Facility program, maintaining employment, making monthly restitution payments and other conditions set by his probation officer.
In his application for a court-appointed attorney following his arrest, Keister said he had no job.
Keister was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to the city of Clinton and $1,240 to the Clinton Area Showboat Theater.
Caught on video surveillance overnight March 5, Keister was seen carrying green jackets to his dark green Saturn sedan. Police traced his license plate number to his Illinois address where they arrested him March 7. Police reported he took musical equipment, electronic equipment, cash and costumes.
At the bandshell, Keister had forced open multiple doors and damaged electrical wiring, police reported.
