Tractor thief faces jail term.

Diebel

Tractor thief faces jail term.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 27-year-old Rothbury man pleaded “no contest” Monday, Aug. 10, in 27th Circuit Court to larceny over $1,000 for the theft of a 2016 New Holland tractor last spring.

Jason Dale Diebel, of 5832 Oceana Dr., faces a jail term with a three-month cap in exchange for his plea. If Diebel successfully completes two years probation, he can withdraw his plea to the felony and plead to a misdemeanor, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

The maximum term for larceny over $1,000 is five years in prison.

Diebel stole the tractor from the 5700 block of Oceana Drive, April 20. It has been recovered and returned to the owner, Bizon said. He will be ordered to pay $500 restitution.

Diebel appeared in court via Zoom videoconferencing due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 5 at 10:45 a.m.

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