2/2/12 Couple sentenced to prison time in Holmes County burglaries

  • By Nick Sabo
  • February 2, 2012
  • 684
                        
SUMMARY: Pair entered Amish homes while occupants away at church A Wooster couple who burglarized Amish homes while the occupants were in church were sentenced to prison time Thursday Feb. 2. Reuben Troyer, 22, and Natasha Urconis, 21, both of 1751 E. Smithville - Western Road, were sentenced in Holmes County Common Pleas Court each on five counts of burglary. Troyer was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret to four years and nine months in prison and Urconis was sentenced by Rinfret to four years in prison. The charges stem from burglaries July 3 and Sept. 6 in Holmes County. According to Holmes County Sheriff’s reports, Urconis and Troyer would approach Amish homes on Sundays and knock on the door. If no one answered, they would enter the home and take cash and other items. If someone answered the door, Troyer and Urconis would pretend to be lost and ask for directions. Troyer was raised Amish and was familiar with church shedules in the area. The Amish hold church every other Sunday. In one of four burglaries carried out July 3, Troyer was surprised by guests of the home who hid in a bedroom after he entered the house. When Troyer was approached by one of the guests, he told her he was lost and asked for directions before leaving. The two were arrested in the process of burglarizing a Wayne County home. Troyer and Urconis approached an estimated 13 to 15 homes where individuals answered the door and no burglary took place. Money to buy drugs appears to be the motive behind the burglaries. Troyer and Urconis’ child was in the car in at least two of the burglaries. The loss in the Holmes County burglaries is reported at $2,110. Troyer and Urconis carried out at least 19 burglaries in Holmes, Knox and Wayne counties, according to Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Oehl. They are currently facing burglary charges in Knox and Wayne counties as well. Troyer’s father and members of a local drug and alcohol prevention committee asked that Troyer’s sentence include a diversion program. Troyer’s attorney, Thomas White, asked that Troyer be allowed to attend Reclamation Ranch Ministries in Alabama to address a drug problem. White described Reclamation Ranch as a “Christian boot camp”. Once Troyer finishes with Reclamation Ranch, White suggested that the court then decide what punishment is necessary, based on Troyer’s progress. Oehl, in no uncertain terms, asked that White’s suggestions for sentencing be rejected. “Nineteen home invasions in three counties. A two person, orchestrated crime wave, and you are asking to send Mr. Troyer to summer camp? No, your honor,” Oehl said. “That does not serve the state’s interests...You need to be just to the state and everyone else.” Troyer said the arrest has been a wake-up call. “I’m truly remorseful for everyone effected (the burglaries),” Troyer said. “I have been trying to work on myself since it happened. I think it was supposed to happen. I think God saw the path I was on and intervened.” Urconis said she has taken personal responsibility for her role in the burglaries. “I realize, and it took me a long time to realize this, my selfishness is not just hurting myself,” Urconis said. “Yes, drugs were a factor but I’m not going to blame it on that because I am an adult.” Rinfret further stated that the crimes were based on prejudice toward members of the Amish faith, in that Troyer and Urconis used a principal of the Amish faith to facilitate the burglaries. In addition to the prison time, Rinfret ordered Troyer and Urconis to “jointly” pay restitution of $2,110.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load