The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

June 10, 2009

UPDATE: Thefts R Us leader pleads guilty

MERCER COUNTY — The reputed leader of an interstate theft ring that stole items ordered by its customers pleaded guilty in Mercer County to consolidated counts of burglary and theft.

Bobby J. Mock, 40, formerly of Youngstown, was on loan from a state prison in Grafton, Ohio, where he is serving a 10-year sentence for his involvement in a theft-for-hire operation that led to burglaries in Youngstown, Cleveland, and Mercer County.

Mock pleaded guilty in Mahoning County in April 2008 to charges relating to more than 125 burglaries of homes and businesses in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Mock faced six cases that involved break-ins and thefts of money and goods such as all-terrain vehicles, trailers, tractors and riding mowers from Hermitage restaurants, businesses and a contractor.

Hermitage police had at one point put the value of items Mock stole at about $80,000, prior to all of his charges having been filed.

At a July 24, 2007, court appearance in Girard, Ohio, Mock admitted the burglaries and said he was addicted to crack cocaine and heroin, police said.

He and an accomplice, who had not been charged, drove a stolen car with a stolen license plate from Ohio to commit the break-ins, police said.

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