Connellsville man sentenced for burglary spree
A Connellsville man who admitted to his role in a three-county burglary spree was sentenced in Fayette County Court to two to four years in jail, plus restitution to the tune of more than $72,000.
Ronald Holp, 46, pleaded guilty in April to 10 burglaries committed in early-September 2012 in Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
According to Senior Judge Gerald R. Solomon, because Holp is eligible for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive program, he could be out of prison as early as 18 months.
As part of the plea agreement, Holp is required to cooperate in the case against his alleged co-defendant, Jaime Lynn Rankin, 37, of Hiller.
Holp and Rankin allegedly robbed two Jefferson Township residences in Fayette County, while the other eight burglaries occurred in municipalities just outside the Fayette County border to the north, over the course of eight days from Sept. 4-12, 2012.
The items stolen included jewelry, cash, computers and firearms, and, in all instances but one, they caused damage to doors and door frames, for which they will also be financially responsible. No one was present in any of the homes when they were burglarized.
Holp’s attorney, Susan Harper, requested that Holp, who was free on unsecured bail bond, be allowed to turn himself in to the county lockup on Friday and be transferred to the State Correctional Institution in Pittsburgh. Solomon granted the request.