Man sentenced in 2 thefts
A Butler man was sentenced to probation in Butler County Court Thursday, after being charged in two cases with theft and fleeing from police.
Aaron J. Atchison, 19, was sentenced to one year of county probation by President Judge Thomas Doerr.
He was also ordered to pay court costs, a $50 fine and $100 in restitution, and complete any counseling recommended by the Butler County Adult Probation Office, as well as 20 hours of community service.
Atchison pleaded guilty April 3 to misdemeanor flight to avoid prosecution and two counts of theft from a motor vehicle on April 3.
His attorney, Dennis McCurdy, said that Atchison is working full time, and after the five-day period in which the crimes occurred, has “had no difficulties.”
Atchison was initially charged with misdemeanor flight, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, loitering and prowling at night and corruption of minors after an incident on July 17; and theft from a motor vehicle after an incident on July 22. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea.
Butler police charged Atchison after they say he fled from officers after a report of two young males breaking into vehicles July 17 in the area of First Street.
Police said Atchison and a 15-year-old boy, who police did not identify, were spotted sitting on the steps of Living Waters Church on Second Street with “a pile of coins,” according to court documents
A witness identified the two teenagers as the duo he saw breaking into cars, police said.
Police subsequently identified the owner of the coins, totaling $8.51, who told police they were missing from his vehicle.
Officers took the youth to the station but Atchison took off running. Police chased him for several blocks and at one point an officer deployed his Taser but missed the suspect, who got away, documents said. He was later arrested.
The juvenile was charged with unspecified counts in Butler County juvenile court.
He was then later charged with theft from a motor vehicle by city police after a victim reported July 22 that he had a video from a neighbor's surveillance system that captured two people stealing an Apple iPhone, valued at $399, from a sport utility vehicle on College Street.
Atchison and a 15-year-old boy were identified by police.
The video showed the pair checking the doors on several vehicles parked on the side of the street before they entered the victim's unlocked SUV and rummaged through it for about a minute, police said.
Police did not identify the youth, who was charged with theft from a vehicle in Butler County juvenile court.
