Mears man sentenced to 2 1/2 to 10 years in prison for break-ins.
#OceanaCountyCourtNews
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
HART — A 26-year-old Mears man was sentenced to two and a half to 10 years in prison Monday, July 17, in 27th Circuit Court for a breaking and entering conviction.
Nicholas James Gale, of 5178 W. Fox Rd., was arrested last March by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office for a felony of breaking and entering with intent and third-offense habitual offender. Gale pleaded guilty last May to breaking and entering with intent.
In exchange for his plea, Gale’s habitual offender status was dismissed.
Gale was also ordered to pay $837.77 restitution.
Gale and an accomplice used bolt cutters to break into storage units last January on West Tyler Road in Golden Township, he testified. They stole sets of tires, a helmet, goggles and sets of wrenches, he testified.
Gale has previous felony convictions in Oceana County of second-degree home invasion in November of 2010 and breaking and entering in October of 2012, Judge Robert D. Springstead noted earlier.
Gale has a criminal case in Mecosta County, in which he will be sentenced to one year in jail, Gale told the judge. Springstead said the case would run concurrently with his Oceana County case.
Gale asked the judge for a sentencing adjournment to deal with the recent birth of his baby who is experiencing medical issues. The judge denied the sentencing delay. “You’re going to be locked up today,” he said.
“I would just like apologize for all of the hurtful things I’ve done,” Gale said.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are 29-57 months months, Springstead said.
Gale received credit for two days served in jail.
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