Published: July 25, 2008 08:06 pm      

Man pleads guilty to role in widespread theft ring

Eleven homes burglarized during February spree

A Pulaski County man pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges in Pulaski Circuit Court Wednesday for his part in a theft ring that affected numerous homes across the county earlier this year.

According to Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery, Josh Bolin, 20, of Somerset, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of second-degree burglary and five counts of theft of a firearm.

Bolin will receive a 15-year prison sentence under the terms of the plea agreement.

Assistant Common-wealth’s Attorney Jeremy A. Bartley stated in court that Bolin and several other individuals burglarized 11 homes within the month of February as part of a theft ring that involved 15 persons and resulted in the theft of items such as jewelry, electronics and firearms. Many of those items, valued at over $45,000, were returned to their owners during an investigation that was launched into the rash of burglaries.

According to Bartley, “One residence was broken into twice on separate occasions.”

“At one point, these people were taking orders for what they wanted stolen,” Bartley stated in a press release.

According to police reports prepared by Detectives Hutchinson and Jones of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, the individuals would take items to several “fences” who would in turn sell the items to others.

Bolin was originally charged with five counts of first-degree burglary, six counts of second-degree burglary, 10 counts of theft by unlawful taking over $300, five counts of theft by unlawful taking of a firearm, receiving stolen property more than $300 and theft by unlawful taking less than $300.

Final sentencing for Bolin is set for August.

Bolin is the second defendant named in connection with the ring to plead guilty to burglary and theft charges this month. Jeremy Reynolds, 21, of Somerset, pleaded guilty earlier this month and is awaiting his final sentencing under a plea deal that would see him serve 12 years in prison.

A third person named as one of the main suspects in the ring, Dustin Brumley, 20, of Somerset, has not entered any pleas in court.

Brumley was charged with first-degree burglary, four counts of second-degree burglary, five counts of theft by unlawful taking more than $300, theft by unlawful taking of a firearm and receiving stolen property over $300.

The 12 others named in the indictment have trial dates set for October.