Jan 23, 2017 2 min read

A West Virginia man who pleaded guilty in November to two counts of burglary and four other felonies was sentenced Friday to 3 years and 9 months to 15 years in state prison.

On Aug. 19, Richard Allen Vanpelt, 44, of Fairmont, entered two houses in Greensboro and Greene Township and stole about $8,000 worth of property, according to state police.

At the first residence, in the 1000 block of Mapletown Road in Greensboro, Vanpelt told police he “knocked at the door, no one answered, so he went inside” the unlocked door, the criminal complaint said. He stole two guitars and a jewelry box.

Vanpelt then drove farther up the road into Greene Township and stopped at a second residence and again knocked on the door before entering through a window, police said. He stole multiple jewelry boxes and two jars of change when he noticed people approaching, the complaint said.

Police said the homeowner’s family lived nearby and noticed Vanpelt enter the house. When they approached the house, Vanpelt drove away.

One of the family members chased him on a motorcycle until Vanpelt’s tire went flat and he came to a stop.

He was charged with two counts each of burglary, theft and criminal trespass and one count of criminal mischief. He pleaded guilty on all charges.

Greene County Judge Lou Dayich gave Vanpelt credit for time served since Aug. 19 and did not order him to pay restitution.

In his order, Dayich mentioned Vanpelt’s remorse, struggles with addiction and a potential need for mental-health counseling.

“However, these issues of addiction do not justify the conduct to which the defendant has admitted, and the court believes a lengthy period of incarceration and supervision is warranted based on the defendant’s prior record and also based on the repetitive conduct which continues,” Dayich said in his order.