SMETHPORT — A man who pleaded guilty to helping steal chainsaws from a local business and burning the getaway vehicle will serve four to eight years in state prison.
James S. Hammond Jr., 40, has 155 days of time served. He was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court before President Judge John Pavlock for charges in the two cases.
On May 30, Hammond pleaded guilty in one case to conspiracy-reckless burning or exploding, a third-degree felony; and in the other case to burglary, a second-degree felony, and retail theft, a third-degree felony.
Hammond entered the plea to allegations that between June 28 and 29, he entered 101 Barbour St., Bradford — Stoney North Enterprises — and conspired with James Bunce and Michael Randolph to steal six chainsaws and one power cutter from the business. The value of the items was $2,971.74.
Then, on June 29, Hammond conspired with Bunce to start a fire in a Toyota Tacoma valued at more than $5,000.
Hammond was ordered to pay a total of $30,535.96 in restitution: $27,932 in the truck fire case, and $2,603.96 in the chainsaw theft case.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer noted Hammond is considered a repeat felon.
Bunce is also serving a term of four to eight years in state prison, a punishment that encompasses both the incidents above as well as a third case in which he was accused of breaking into a camp.
Randolph, who is facing charges for the alleged chainsaw theft, has not been convicted of any charges in the case. A last-day-to-plea conference that was scheduled Thursday for Randolph was postponed until Aug. 22.
