Career Criminal Sentenced to State Prison For Acushnet House Break
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
September 5, 2018
A 56-year-old career criminal from Bourne was sentenced to serve five to eight years in state prison after being convicted last week in Fall River Superior Court of breaking into a home in Acushnet and attempting to steal dozens of items, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Harold Sherman pleaded guilty to a three-count indictment, charging him with breaking and entering, larceny from a building and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
On May 3, 2016, at approximately 6:46am, the female victim returned to her home on Hathaway Road in Acushnet after dropping her son off at daycare. When she arrived home, she saw a vehicle in the driveway and she observed a window on the door to the house was broken. She immediately contacted the police. While waiting for police to arrive, she saw a white male exit the house. The victim asked him who he was and why he was there. The male, later identified as this defendant, stated that he thought he was at the “Johnson’s” house.
The defendant got back into his car and sped off. As he exited driveway, the victim saw the police cruisers coming around the corner. Acushnet Police attempted to stop the vehicle and observed it pass three cars at a high rate of speed in a “No Passing” zone. In the area of 161 Hathaway Road, the operator threw a piece of paper out the window. The operator then slowed and stopped in the area of Green Meadow Drive.
During a search of the defendant’s vehicle, police found a 1938 $100 bill in a plastic sleeve and two knives. Inside the vehicle, police also observed a crowbar and other tools. Police returned to the victim’s home and found it was in disarray. Police observed a large suitcase by the door, which was filled with jewelry, watches, and other items from the house. Police also observed two pillow cases filed with jewelry, watches, prescription medication, and, change in a bedroom. The victim identified the $100 bill found on the defendant as belonging to her mother.
During a sentencing hearing before Judge Raffi Yessayan, Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Morrissette argued that based on the defendant’s extensive criminal history and the brazenness of the robbery attempt, the defendant should serve eight to 10 years in state prison. The defendant, however, requested a more lenient five to eight years state prison term.
In addition to the five to eight year state prison sentence, Judge Yessayan also placed the defendant on probation for an additional two years.
“This defendant, at age 56, is a career criminal who has been stealing from people for over 35 years. He does not belong out on the street. Fortunately, the homeowner and the quick police arrival prevented the defendant from stealing many more items,” District Attorney Quinn said.
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576–cell