Man sentenced to four years

Friday, September 8, 2006

A Crawfordsville man apparently lacked the tools necessary to avoid capture after police say he stole various pieces of equipment from locations in Putnam and Montgomery County last year.

George A. Sisk, 30, was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary and theft after police said he stole items from as many as four facilities in Putnam County and others in Montgomery County last December.

Although he was the only one answering to charges on Thursday, authorities believe Sisk did not act alone.

During the sentencing hearing, one of the victims in the case presented her side to Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley.

Shirley Hodgen of Roachdale, along with her husband Abe, reported tools missing from their family's farm shop on Dec. 21 of last year.

She said the tools had been acquired throughout a period of 30 years. She said the loss has had an adverse effect on the farming business.

According to Hodgen, Sisk and his accomplices were familiar with the area. One of them, she said, had a father who lived in the area.

"These were familiar areas," she said. "We weren't just random 'oh lets go in the barn and see how much hay they have.'"

Hodgen informed the court that she and her husband had not been fully compensated, but had received $4,100 from the insurance company. She said she did not receive all her equipment and tools back that were taken from Sisk upon his arrest.

Sisk told the court Thursday that he fell on hard times after losing his job from Happico in Greencastle last year. Also he said he had been informed by the utility company that his heat was going to be shut off in the middle of winter.

Sisk's public defender, attorney Jim Recker, asked his client if he had attempted to receive any help. Sisk responded that he tried to get help, but too many people were also asking for help and his family was pushed back on the list.

During the court hearing, it was explained that when police questioned Sisk about the burglaries last year, he completely cooperated with the police and told them everything he knew.

Sisk said, "I'm sorry for the things I did and it won't happen again."

The judge sentenced Sisk to four years, two to be served in prison and two on probation. He was also required to pay restitution to the victims.

Meanwhile, he is also being prosecuted in Montgomery County for crimes allegedly committed there.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: