Toledoan who led theft ring given 5 years

2/14/2006

FREMONT - A Toledo man was ordered yesterday to serve five years in prison for leading a theft ring that stole thousands of dollars in power equipment from area residents.

Garland "Harry" Teel, 65, was given the prison term during a hearing before Judge Harry Sargeant, Jr., of Sandusky County Common Pleas Court. Teel pleaded guilty in October to four counts of receiving stolen property, one count of breaking and entering, and a lesser charge of attempted engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Teel was indicted in December, 2004, on 24 felony counts in connection with what authorities called the biggest theft ring ever broken in Sandusky County. Authorities alleged that Teel and seven other members of the theft ring stole all-terrain vehicles, riding lawnmowers, and other items and sold the goods to people in Lucas County and in other states.