By Peter A. Sutters Jr.

Independent Writer

 

Three Nantucket men were sentenced to serve two years of probation, pay restitution and perform 300 hours of community service after admitting to breaking into a number of vehicles last summer. The three men all appeared in District Court on Monday and had their cases disposed of at the same time.

The three were charged with different crimes depending on their level of involvement, but all faced the same punishment by Judge W. James O’Neil.

Sentenced were Joshua D. Holdgate, 19, of 3 Rosebud Lane, Robert J. St. Pierre, 20, of 37 Somerset Road and Adam Spencer, 18, of 3 Deer Run Lane.

Holdgate was charged with two counts of receiving stolen property, seven counts of breaking into a vehicle or boat in the daytime, one county of larceny under $250, seven counts of larceny over $250, two counts of malicious destruction of property under $250, larceny of a firearm, possession of liquor by a person under 21 and possession of a class B drug.

St. Pierre was charged with two counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of breaking and entering a vehicle or boat in the daytime, larceny of a firearm, malicious destruction of property under $25, possession of a class B drug and possession of liquor by a person under 21.

Spencer was charged with six counts of breaking and entering a vehicle or boat in the daytime, six counts of receiving stolen property over $250, one count of receiving stolen property under $250, two counts of malicious destruction of property over $250 and larceny of a firearm.

Spencer, a high school senior, was the captain of the baseball team in his junior year and a member of the varsity basketball team this winter. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has rules for suspensions when drugs or alcohol are involved, but Spencer will be able to play baseball this spring, according to Athletic Director Nancy Larabee.

The three were arrested last August after a number of reports came into the Nantucket Police Department that vehicles in beach parking lots had been broken into.

Police recognized a pattern in the locations of the break-ins and set up surveillance at a lot they thought might be struck by the men. Officers then witnessed Holdgate and St. Pierre “casing” cars and ultimately breaking into one and removing objects. The two were arrested and admitted to their involvement as well as implicating Spencer in the crimes.

O’Neil asked all three of the men, none of whom had any prior records, why they decided to break in to cars and steal things.

None offered any explanation.

“I have been asked many times and I still don’t have a good answer,” said Spenser.

“I wish I had an answer, I was not thinking clear and had bad judgment,” said Holdgate.

“I never thought about it, I guess,” said St. Pierre. “Stupid judgment, I guess.”

O’Neil also took time to make sure the three understood the gravity of the situation and asked before accepting their pleas if they understood that this incident would be on their records for the rest of their lives and they would have to possibly explain their actions to any prospective employers. They all said they understood.

O’Neil also warned the three that any future incident will result in jail time.

“If there is any more of this kind of behavior, I will assure you, you will have to serve time,” he said.

O’Neil said the three could submit their own proposals as to how they would like to complete the 300 hours of community service, but the decision will be left to the Probation Department to approve or make recommendations.