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Two copper thieves are sentenced

Two of three people charged in connection with a 2011 copper theft that left more than 4,000 people without electricity were sentenced today in Butler County Court.

David Heddleston and Barbara Ours, Toronto, Ohio, residents and an apparent couple, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy and criminal mischief and were sentenced by Butler County Judge Wiliam Shaffer.

Heddleston, 38, was sentenced to 18 to 48 months in state prison, followed by 3 years’ probation.

Ours, 31, was sentenced to 5 years in Butler County’s Intermediate Punishment Program, with the first 5 months on house arrest with electronic monitoring.

The couple also was ordered to split a $66,400 restitution bill — the bulk of which, $61,200, is owed to Penn Power

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