Syracuse Man Sentenced For Burglaries
WARSAW — A Syracuse man who was apprehended for a string of burglaries was sentenced Thursday, June 1, in Kosciusko Superior Court 1.
Ethan David Jessie, 27, 4547 E. Fox Run Dr., Syracuse, was arrested Feb. 5, 2016 in connection with various house burglaries in the northeast portion of Kosciusko County. He was charged with burglary, a level 4 felony, and theft, a level 6 felony.
According to a release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Kosciusko County road division deputies were dispatched at approximately 4 a.m. Feb. 5, 2016 to the area of Genesee Lane regarding a suspicious vehicle. Officers located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspect vehicle fled. The driver eventually exited the vehicle at which point a foot pursuit ensued.
Syracuse officers and a Kosciusko K-9 unit chased the suspect through a housing addition, at which point the suspect, later identified as Jessie, was taken into custody by officers without incident. Jessie was initially arrested and preliminarily charged with fleeing law enforcement and driving while suspended. During the ensuing investigation, information was obtained implicating Jessie with several burglaries in the Lake Wawasee area.
Road officers subsequently obtained and executed search warrants on Feb. 7 and 8, at locations on Seneca Lane and North Wawasee Circle, which uncovered numerous stolen items from burglaries that had occurred within the last month.
Deputies were able to recover flat-screen televisions, chainsaws, musical instruments, electronics and a firearm. Officers have estimated that almost $5,000 worth of stolen items were uncovered at the two separate locations.
When Jessie appeared before the court he said, “I’m a good person and I’ve changed a lot.” He further stated that he’s been to prison and the people there are bad influences. He stated that he was ready to make good relationships.
Judge David Cates acknowledged Jessie’s substantial criminal history, including three arrests in 2017 and three theft convictions in Judge Cate’s court in 2011 and 2013, and a recent failure to appear. “I want to believe you’ve changed, but this doesn’t weigh in your favor,” said Cates.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Jessie was found guilty of burglary and theft, with an additional count of each dropped. For both charges Jessie was sentenced to two years at the Indiana Department of Corrections. These sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time.
Jessie also owes restitution to two separate parties in the amounts of $1,682 and $740.