The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN - A Mayfield man was sentenced Friday in Fulton County Court to two to four years in state prison for a residential copper burglary last spring in Gloversville.
Jason T. Smrtic, 28, of Longview Drive, was sentenced by County Court Judge Polly A. Hoye as a second felony offender. Sentencing was based on his June 28 guilty plea to one felony count of third-degree burglary, as part of a plea agreement.
He was arrested by Gloversville police at 10:30 p.m. May 16, charged with one felony count of second-degree burglary, petit larceny, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and possession of burglar tools, police said. A witness report led police to the copper thief, authorities said.
Police at the time said a witness reported seeing a man exit a vacant residence at 131 E. Fulton St. Police later found Smrtic in possession of copper pipes missing from the residence, authorities said.
In another case Friday, Wilson Y. Jaquez-Villa, 31, of 596 Courtland Ave., Bronx, was sentenced by Hoye to three years in state prison. Sentencing was based on his June 21 guilty plea before Hoye, as part of a plea agreement, to second-degree attempted burglary.
Johnstown police arrested Jaquez-Villa on Oct. 3, 2011, in the Bronx for his role in a Dec. 27, 2010, home invasion at a home at 81 Chestnut St. in Johnstown. Police said he and two other men forced their way into the home.
Police said a struggle ensued and a male homeowner fired shotgun pellets at Jaquez-Villa inside the house and hit him before the suspects fled. The homeowners and their dog were pepper-sprayed in the home invasion.