The recent plea deal for the first man arrested under San Francisco’s latest bait car program has sparked controversy and disappointment among car burglary victims and law enforcement officials. 27-year-old Robert Sonza, who has a history of car break-ins, running from police, domestic violence, and more, was released on Friday after serving 11 months in jail. The ABC7 I-Team was the only media outlet present in the courtroom during the sentencing.
One of the victims, Dan and Linda Oldiges, had their rental car broken into while visiting San Francisco for a wedding. They parked in a busy lot near Alcatraz Prison, only to return to find their cash, iPad, and laptop stolen. Sonza was arrested the same day after breaking into another rental car and an SFPD bait car. Despite facing three burglary counts, Sonza received a plea deal of two years in county jail for each count, to be served concurrently.
The Oldigeses expressed their disappointment at Sonza’s release, with Dan Oldiges stating, „To me, that’s a joke.“ San Francisco Public Defender Anita Nabha defended Sonza, highlighting his completion of over 300 hours of programming in custody and his intention to pursue further education and job opportunities upon release.
However, Sonza’s criminal history includes a probation violation in April 2022, where he was spotted driving a stolen SUV used in multiple car break-ins. A dramatic incident in February 2023 involved Sonza fleeing from police, running over an officer’s foot, and causing a collision that injured a civilian. Despite facing multiple charges, a plea deal resulted in most charges being dismissed except for evading an officer.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed disappointment at Sonza’s release, stating that based on his criminal history and conduct, more severe consequences were warranted. Jenkins pushed for stacked time for Sonza’s offenses but was unsuccessful in court. Sonza was ordered to pay restitution to his victims, but his public defender claimed he was indigent, exempting him from court fees but not from repaying what he stole.
The case of Robert Sonza highlights the complexities and challenges of the criminal justice system, particularly in dealing with repeat offenders. The plea deal and subsequent release of Sonza have raised questions about accountability, rehabilitation, and public safety in San Francisco. As the community grapples with these issues, the impact of such decisions on victims and law enforcement remains a point of contention.