SMETHPORT — A Bradford man will serve a probationary sentence for taking about $216,000 worth of equipment, tools and supplies from Keystone Wireline between 2019 and 2020.

Richard A. Carpenter, 66, was sentenced recently in McKean County Court to serve 18 months of probation and perform 50 hours of community service for a charge of theft by unlawful taking.

In June of 2021, Carpenter was arrested on charges alleging the theft of hundreds of items, including tools and equipment, from Keystone, which he took to his new place of employment, Appalachian Well Surveys, and to a rented storage garage. Bradford Township Police Chief Robert Shipman, who filed the charges against Carpenter, told The Era there is no evidence that Appalachian was involved or aware of what Carpenter was doing.

A majority of the items were recovered by the Bradford Township Police when they executed search warrants, according to the criminal complaint.