NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A 21-year-old was sentenced on four felony charges for two criminal incidents, one taking place while on bail for the other.
Kenneth Benedict stole a dirt bike on March 25 after breaking into a Honda of Norfolk on Tidewater Drive, using a fire extinguisher to break a window. Benedict was caught on surveillance committing the crime and the stolen bike was found the next day.
He was with burglary, felony vandalism and grand larceny. Benedict had no prior criminal record, and a Virginia magistrate granted Benedict bail on those charges.
On April 6, Benedict was driving a stolen truck on N. Military Highway. Norfolk Police officers received a Flock alert on the stolen truck and found it in the nearby Walmart parking lot. Officers turned on their lights to stop Benedict, but Benedict got out of the truck and attempted to run away. Officers arrested him after a short foot pursuit.
Benedict pleaded guilty, on July 30, to felony destruction of property, burglary and grand larceny for the March incident and to felony receipt of stolen goods for the April incident.
On Friday, Benedict was sentenced to serve one year and six months in prison and suspended an additional 14 years and six months on the conditions that Benedict complete three years of supervised probation, five years of uniform good behavior, and restitution payments to the victims following his release.
“Thefts disrupt the lives and livelihoods of people, businesses, and organizations,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Benedict was involved in two such thefts within two weeks, and his conduct merited a sentence above his guidelines. Thanks to the good work of the Norfolk Police and the availability of cameras, we have held Mr. Benedict responsible.”