A Mandan woman has received a suspended sentence for breaking into a Bismarck car dealership and damaging property.

Shilolyn Black Lance, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to Class C felony charges of burglary and criminal mischief.

South Central District Judge Tom Schneider gave Black Lance an 18-month suspended sentence and three months of supervised probation. He also ordered her to pay $2,144 in restitution to Veracity Motors.

The sentence was recommended by Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Justin Schwarz.

Todd Schwarz, Black Lance's appointed defense attorney, asked for a deferred sentence. He said Black Lance has turned her life around, and felony convictions could hurt her chance at getting a job.

"Ms. Black Lance really has not drank much in her life, but on this occasion she drank to the point of blackout," he said.

Attendants at a gas station on Main Avenue called police to report a woman cut and bleeding at 6:35 a.m. May 21.

The woman said she had been working inside Veracity Motors, 1701 E. Main Ave., and had to break a window to get away from a man she was working with who began chasing her.

The owners of the dealership said Black Lance did not work at the dealership and they did not know who she was.

"What possessed you to go over to Veracity Motors and smash their window?" Schneider asked.

"I don't know," Black Lance responded tearfully.

- JennyMichael