Van Wert man imprisoned for home break-in

4/21/2005

VAN WERT, Ohio - A Van Wert man was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison for breaking into his elderly neighbor's home and stealing her prescription drugs.

Terry Powell, 39, had been charged with burglary, to which he pleaded guilty. The break-in occurred Jan. 23. He was sentenced by Judge Charles Steele.

Van Wert police said Powell entered an 89-year-old woman's home and took four types of medications.

The woman heard Powell and used her medical alert system to summon police.

When officers arrived, they tracked Powell to his house by following his footprints in the snow.

Powell could have faced up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine.