Michael Nicholas Watson

WARSAW — A Leesburg man was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior One Court Thursday, Oct. 25, for five burglary charges.

Michael Nicholas Watson, 29, 10 EMS B5 A. Lane, Leesburg, was charged with five counts of burglary, all level 5 felonies; and one count of auto theft, a level 6 felony.

On Aug. 25, 2016, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of burglary and theft at a residence. The owner’s brother said someone had broken into a service door on a barn and stole a utility trailer, toolbox, hand winch, spare tire, an Arctic Cat ATV, two chainsaws, a Suzuki ATV and assorted hand tools, totaling $13,884.04. The brother also said someone had entered the residence and stole antique pocket watches and coins.

On Nov. 10, 2016, officers responded to a report of theft. A male reported his snowmobile trailer stolen. The trailer was valued at $12,000.

On Dec. 27, 2016, an officer with the North Webster Police Department responded to a theft of a recreational vehicle. A 2009 Polaris 500 Ranger UTV vehicle was stolen.

After further investigation, Watson and Frank Bailey III, North Webster, were part of several large-scale thefts in Noble, Steuben, Starke and Pulaski counties, as well as two Michigan counties.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Brad Voelz requested 30 days to supplement restitution amounts from the burglaries.

“Watson is facing several burglary counts, with other charges pending in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan,” said Voelz. “He’s facing significant time because of his criminal history.”

Defense attorney Scott Lennox also discussed Watson’s substantial criminal history.

“He’s taken responsibility for the large amount of crimes he’s committed,” said Lennox.

Judge David Cates sentenced Watson to six years in the Department of Corrections for the burglary charges; he was also sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections for the auto theft charge. These charges will be served all concurrently, but consecutive to Watson’s cases in Ohio and Michigan. Watson was given 658 days of jail time credit.

Cates also allowed the state 30 days to supplement restitution.

“Mr. Watson, you can make different choices,” said Cates. “I hope you do in the future.”