News

December 11, 2009

Benton man gets house arrest for stealing truck, trashing bar

His attorney says defendant learned lesson and hasn’t had a drink since being charged.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A Benton man charged with stealing a truck and trashing a Fairmount Township bar in January was sentenced Wednesday to 23 months on house arrest.

Luzerne County Judge Thomas Burke sentenced Christopher D. Cragle, 34, of Red Hill Road, on charges of theft by unlawful taking, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment of another person and criminal mischief.

Burke ordered Cragle to serve the first 12 months of his sentence with an electronic monitor.

Cragle, who has no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty in September. He faced a maximum of 17 years in jail if he was sentenced to the maximum on each charge consecutively.

Cragle also received 12 months probation and 100 hours of community service.

His attorney, Tom Marsilio, said Wednesday he believes his client has learned his lesson and hasn’t consumed alcohol since the incident in January.

Marsilio had previously said Cragle had no recollection of what happened that night and has already paid $1,500 in restitution. Marsilio also said Cragle replaced the engine in the vehicle he drove into a snow bank.

Cragle was ordered to pay more nearly $13,000 in restitution.

According to court records, on Jan. 28, John Leshko reported his truck was stolen from the parking lot of Spencer’s Tavern in Fairmount Township.

Leshko told police he was leaving the tavern when he saw Cragle get into another truck and drive into a snow bank. Leshko said he tried to help Cragle, who then became verbally abusive.

That’s when Cragle got into Leshko’s truck and drove away. Leshko followed tracks in the snow to Goss Road, where the tracks ended at a driveway.

Police said Cragle told the homeowner his vehicle had broken down and the homeowner offered to give Cragle a ride.

As the homeowner was driving him down Goss Road, Cragle jumped out and ran away. Cragle returned to the tavern and entered by busting a hole through the sheetrock in front of the entrance door. The bartender said Cragle began throwing things and making threats.

Later that night, police received a call from the Fairmount Township fire hall and learned that Cragle was trying to kick in the front door. He also went to a residence next door, threatened the homeowner and smashed a window.

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