The guy who pilfered
Kelly Monaco's Las Vegas penthouse
back in April is heading to the slammer -- he was just sentenced to serve 12 to 30 months behind bars.
Merrill Wetter pled guilty to burglary back in June, after he broke into Kelly's pad at the
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on April 23.
As part of his plea deal, Wetter will also have to pay Kelly $5,000 in restitution, as well as a $25 court fee and a $150 DNA fee.
Wetter -- who will serve his time in the Nevada State Prison -- has already served 138 days.
A man accused of breaking into and burglarizing
Kelly Monaco's penthouse at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas last month is in court right now -- but you gotta hear how the guy got busted.
According to the arrest report,
Merrill Wetter was arrested after casino security reviewed surveillance footage from Monaco's floor -- and recognized him from a previous incident on P.H. grounds.
Turns out, Wetter had been a guest at the hotel for 30 days between March and April -- and was evicted after security witnessed him "following a money cart in the casino." Who does that?
But on the night of the Monaco burglary, surveillance footage showed the specific cab Wetter got into outside of P.H. -- and the driver told cops Wetter was dropped off at the Excalibur Hotel. A cabbie at the Excalibur then told cops the perp went to the Venetian Hotel... where he was finally arrested.
The best part: The report says Wetter evaded questions from Vegas cops by closing his eyes and faking like he was asleep.
Merrill was charged with burglary, invasion of the home and grand larceny.
UPDATE: Merrill waved his right for a preliminary hearing and is due back for his arraignment on May 20 in District Court.
Kelly Monaco narrowly escaped a run-in with a burglar who broke into her Las Vegas penthouse early Thursday morning -- by hiding behind her bed while it all went down.
Sources tell TMZ Monaco was asleep in her penthouse at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas around 4:00 AM when she heard an intruder banging around inside the living room. We're told Kelly hid behind her bed -- but the bad guy never tried to get into the bedroom.
When the coast was clear, Kelly emerged from her room, saw that her place was trashed, and called police.
Las Vegas P.D. confirms to TMZ a burglary report was filed, but would not confirm what was stolen.
We're told Monaco is now using a personal security team -- and plans on keeping the bodyguards around as long as she's in Vegas ... which could be a while. She's currently starring in "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood with Mel B.
Planet Hollywood had no comment.
Even after three club appearances -- Villa, One and Hyde -- Cheryl Burke was able to walk in a straight line last night. Incredible!
While we miss the
boozy Burke, we're thankful Kelly Monaco was there to take her place as
that girl.
So maybe you thought that ol' Kelly Monaco dropped major coin for the dress she wore on at last week's "Dancing With the Stars" finale. Turns out, it's actually trendy Robertson shopping enclave
Kitson that'll be paying the price.
Like most stores in L.A., Kitson loans out clothes to freeloader celebs as long as they come back damage-free within 48 hours. We hear the disco diva's peeps arrived at the store in a panic five hours before the finale, desperate to find something for her to wear. Per their agreement, the store loaded them up with $6,500 worth of free dresses.
Little problem: TMZ has learned that her manager returned most -- but not all -- of the clothing a week late, and not only that, the dresses were "completely ruined." Apparently Kel wore another one of the dresses to party it up on her birthday in Vegas. Kitson says the dresses are "filthy and definitely not in sellable condition." Furthermore, they claim Monaco's people have refused to pay for the damaged dresses.
A rep for Kelly did not return our call for comment.
Barbra Streisand kept her infamous mug covered outside Madeo ... maybe she doesn't want to subject us
to this again.
Also in L.A.: "Dancing" stars and hasbeens partied at One and Dolce, Kelly Slater tried to sic water-balloon tossing kids on our cameras and Hilary Duff used Villa's curtain cave while her bf hobbled out the front door on crutches.
In NY: Kristi Yamaguchi showed off her mirrorball trophy, as losers Jason Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente stood neaby, Dina and Ali Lohan pimped their show and Debbie Harry went all Rihanna and whipped out an umbrella to keep the camera away.
Ever wonder what the hot-bodied women of "Dancing With the Stars" do during the off season? Well, here ya go...
Season one champ Kelly Monaco cha-cha-chowed down on championship dancer Regina Poryes while "DTWS" regulars Kym Johnson and Cheryl Burke soaked up some rays at the Bare Pool and Lounge at the Mirage this weekend. The gals were all in Sin City for "DWTS" pro Edyta Sliwinska's bachelorette party. Sliwinska's fiance -- a fellow dance-equin -- was Kelly's partner when she won the whole thing in 2005.
