NORWICH – The last member in a band of copper thieves responsible for leading state police and two sheriff’s officers on an extensive investigation across Chenango and Madison counties, received the longest sentence of the four men in the case.
Jerry W. Armondi Jr., 21, of Norwich, pleaded guilty to two counts of third degree burglary and was sentenced to one and a half years to four and a half years on each charge, Sept. 30. The time will run consecutively for a combined sentence of three to nine years in state prison.
Armondi and his three co-defendants were arrested Dec. 23, 2007 and charged with numerous felonies and misdemeanors.
The four men were responsible for a rash of burglaries targeting commercial establishments that took place over the late fall and early winter months of the same year. The crimes targeted copper items such as fittings, piping and wire.
According to the police investigation, Armondi broke into one location and stole two large spools of copper wiring. Unable to transport them, police said he left the wire out in front of the building and returned the next day to pick it up. Discovering that the two spools had again been moved and locked up, he broke into the building a second time to remove the wire.
Police also originally accused Armondi and the other suspects of being involved in the copper thefts at the Norwich High School construction site, but were unable to substantiate the charges.
“A two-time felon by his own admissions, he is apparently requesting a one week furlough to take care of some of his belongings because he’s afraid people may steal his property. Now the defendant knows what it must feel like. We object,” said Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee.
Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd agreed and remanded Armondi to the Chenango County Correctional Facility until he could be transferred into state custody.
The judge also ordered that Armondi pay $10,096.36 in restitution divided among the various victims of the winter 2007 crime spree – Curtis Lumber in Sherburne, the South New Berlin Quickway, and Pro-Tel.
Armondi was also charged a $50 DNA fee and must begin paying the owed amounts six months after he’s released from prison at a minimum of $100 a month or face additional time behind bars.
The court recommended the 21-year-old for Shock, a six-month boot camp-like prison program.
Armondi’s only other co-defendant to do time in prison was Bret J. Parker, 21, of Norwich, who pleaded guilty to one count of third degree burglary. He was sentenced to two to six years in state prison in county court Jan. 5. His conditions echoed Armondi’s and was recommended for the Shock program and ordered to pay restitution. Parker was already serving interim probation for a prior charge of third degree burglary when he was sentenced.
Ryan A. Mckissik, now 19, of Norwich, was also arrested and charged with third degree burglary, attempted burglary and fifth degree conspiracy. Last spring, the court elected to hand the case back down to the Town of Norwich Court and Mckissik was handled as a youthful offender because he was 18 when he committed the crimes.
A 15-year-old male from Norwich was the last member of the group arrested in the case. He was charged with second degree burglary and fifth degree conspiracy and his offenses were processed in family court as a juvenile.