SPRINGWATER – A young man who was caught stealing from a Springwater store in an apparent act of desperation was sentenced in court on Thursday.
Thomas Farley, 23, was arrested in July by New York State Police after stealing premade sandwiches, cigarettes, and some Reeses peanut butter cups, claiming that he did it out of desperation for food. The court was unsympathetic, however, saying that a person in that position has plenty of ways to get a meal.
“One thing that bothers me on this is that you didn’t appear remorseful,” said Cohen. “You said you were trying to get something to eat, but there’s a million ways to get something to eat. You could have contacted law enforcement and they would have helped you out.”
Though the monetary value of the stolen property was not high, the fact that Farley broke into the store makes his a Burglary case, and the charges leveled against him were severe. Farley was sentenced to one year in the Livingston County Jail.
Farley’s defense attorney, Ann Connor, pointed out that his ability to repay the value of the stolen goods as restitution is limited. Cohen accordingly reduced the restitution amount.
PHOTO CAPTION: Thomas Farley. Image Courtesy of Mobile Patrol.