San Carlos man previously shot by Home Depot security faces trial for Target robbery

(KRON) — A man who was shot by a San Carlos Home Depot security guard during an attempted robbery in August 2023 will face a jury trial this week for a separate alleged robbery at a Target store that occurred months later, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.

Jonathan Lee Mackey, 28, of San Carlos, is accused of loading up a cart at a Redwood City Target store on Dec. 7, 2023, and then trying to rush out the door past a loss prevention officer who was attempting to stop him from stealing, prosecutors said. During the struggle, Mackey allegedly threatened to pepper spray the employee three times.

The cart filled with $820.70 in merchandise tipped over, the DA’s office said, and hit a bystander in the shin. Mackey then allegedly grabbed a Segway and ran off.

At the Target store, prosecutors said Mackey left behind his cell phone, and the Redwood City Police Department was able to identify him as the suspect. Days later, while Mackey was reporting to his probation officer, he was placed under arrest for second-degree robbery.

Mackey had previously been sentenced to probation following a conviction of attempted second-degree robbery from a Home Depot on Aug. 7, 2023. In that case, prosecutors said Mackey attacked a security guard with the guard’s baton while attempting to steal numerous tools.

The guard fired two shots at Mackey, at least one of which struck him. Mackey was arrested by a San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was in the area and heard the shots. Both Mackey and the guard suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

On Oct. 27, 2023, Mackey took a plea deal in the Home Depot case that dropped the assault charge and enhancements for great bodily injury. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 180 days in jail for attempted second-degree robbery. However, Mackey received 161 days’ credit on his jail time and was released just under three weeks later.

On Monday, a jury trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. for the Target robbery case.