A 40-year-old auto mechanic admitted March 8 to pulling off at least three dozen car burglaries from unsuspecting surfers and beachgoers in Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach in a spate of thefts over the last few months — but not before pulling a courtroom shenanigan. Before admitting guilt to 16 various counts, Curt Lonnie Simnitt falsely signed the court documents formalizing his plea under the name of “Curt Duress.” After being handed the paperwork, Superior Court Judge Fred Link questioned Simnitt as to why. Simnitt said he was pleading guilty under duress, but later reversed himself to say he was pleading guilty freely and voluntarily. Meanwhile, the shenanigan irritated Simnitt’s attorney, Ryan Tegnelia, who obviously didn’t catch the false signature before the form was handed to the judge. To correct the problem, the “Duress” name was repeatedly crossed out in the court documents and re-signed with Simnitt’s correct name. Simnitt formally pleaded guilty to nine car burglaries, three counts of identity theft, and one count each of forgery, possession of methamphetamine, grand theft and receiving stolen property. Simnitt had initially been charged with 80 counts of vehicle burglary but Link dismissed the remaining charges after Simnitt agreed to plead guilty to the nine counts. Simnitt has agreed to accept a 12-year prison term when he is sentenced April 26, according to court records. He pleaded guilty just before witnesses were to testify in a preliminary hearing. Simnitt was arrested by San Diego police on Jan. 13 at a motel after investigators served a search warrant at his home on Lake Aral Drive in San Carlos, where much of the stolen property was recovered. Deputy District Attorney Jalyn Wang said police found surfboards, wetsuits, wallets, purses, backpacks and watches, among other items. She said Simnitt watched people park their vehicles — some of whom hid their keys nearby. Having observed where the surfers and beach goers left the key, Simnitt was then able to gain access to the items, although in other instances he broke into the car. Simnitt remains in custody on $410,000 bail.