Fla. burglary suspect weeps after realizing judge was former classmate

MIAMI, FL (ABC 13 Eyewitness News) -- When a man in south Florida made a court appearance on a burglary charge recently, he got quite the surprise, reports WSVN in Miami.

Judge Mindy Glazer was presiding over a bond hearing for Arthur Booth, 49. Booth had been arrested in Hialeah on June 29 after being seen leaving the scene of a burglary. Officers gave chase and say Booth drove onto a median and then into oncoming traffic before he bailed out and was apprehended.

While Judge Glazer was speaking to Booth from the bench, she noticed he looked familiar.

"Mr. Booth, I have a question for you," said Judge Glazer.

"Yes ma'am," answered Booth.

"Did you go to Nautilus for middle school?" she asked.

"Oh my goodness," answered Booth as the suspected burglar broke down in tears.

Judge Glazer then said Booth's alleged behavior now is not what she remembers about him from middle school.

"He was the best kid in middle school," she said. "I used to play football with him. All the kids looked up to him and look what has happened. I'm so sorry to see you there."

She went on to tell him, "Good luck to you sir. I hope you're able to come out of this ok and just lead a lawful life "

Bond for Booth was set at $43,000 for a handful of charges.