Man sentenced for $31K painkiller theft
Toolbox
Published: May 20, 2009
A Mount Tabor man who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $31,000 worth of painkillers in a theft of a West Rutland pharmacy was sentenced recently to a three-to-five-year jail sentence all suspended except for two years to serve at the St. Johnsbury work camp.
Sean A. DePalma, 28, was sentenced late last month after agreeing to plead guilty to a felony charge of grand larceny greater than $900 for a theft that took place on Feb. 4, 2003.
DePalma was charged with jumping over the pharmacy counter at the West Rutland Rite Aid and stuffing a bag full of 1,900 pills from a narcotics cabinet containing painkillers such as oxycodone, OxyContin and Endocet. The theft was carried out during store hours and was witnessed by a number of customers.
DePalma, who police said carried out the theft with the help of his girlfriend — a former employee at the pharmacy — wasn't arrested until 2005 when a confidential informant wearing a hidden recording device documented a conversation in which DePalma admitted to stealing the pills.
DePalma's sentence will start on May 26.
— Staff reports
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