A Halifax man was sentenced to 18 months of probation earlier this month after he admitted he broke into a Plain Street home and stole more than $250 worth of jewelry.

Matthew R. McGonagle, 21, of Halifax admitted on Jan. 11 to charges of felony breaking and entering and larceny over $250 and was ordered to pay $500 restitution. A charge of malicious destruction of property was dismissed. His case was continued without a finding until July 2011.

On Sept. 29, McGonagle entered a Plain Street home after breaking a window and took a jewelry box. He then drove to Boston and sold the expensive items at a jewelry shop there before dumping the box and the remaining items in a dumpster in South Boston, according to reports. Items were later recovered from both locations.

McGonagle also allegedly admitted to a similar theft in Duxbury around the same time, according to reports.