Man awaiting sentencing on thefts accused of stealing a car

BY STACI WILSON

A Nicholson-area man scheduled to be sentenced next week for a string of 2009 thefts inSusquehannaCountynow stands accused of stealing a car while he was out on bail.

State Police in Gibson say Brent Vanteger, 27, of Nicholson, along with Jason Farr, 20, of Jackson Twp., allegedly stole the car Sept. 19 from aBerg Hill Rd.property in Gibson Twp.

Vanteger faces felony theft and receiving stolen property charges in Clifford District Court. He was also charged with a number of summary vehicle offenses in connection with the incident.

A preliminary hearing on the matter has been scheduled for Nov. 1.

Vanteger was arraigned Oct. 8 in front of District Judge Suzanne Brainard. He is currently free on $20,000 bail.

On Sept. 23, Vanteger pleaded guilty to eight, misdemeanor theft counts – all stemming from separate cases. As part of the plea agreement, the eight sentences will run concurrent.

District Attorney Jason Legg said he agreed to the plea deal because Vanteger confessed to his involvement in a large number of “unsolved” cases.

“We were able to close out those cases and get restitution orders for the victims,” Legg said. “If he had not cooperated the cases would likely still be open.”

He is scheduled to be sentenced in the eight cases on Thursday, Oct. 20, in Susquehanna County Court.

Legg said it was possible Vanteger’s scheduled sentencing could be continued because of the recent charges.

The DA has made a motion to revoke Vanteger’s bail on the pending cases, Legg said. That hearing is also scheduled for Oct. 20.

Farr was charged with felony theft and receiving stolen property.

He was arraigned on the charges Oct. 8 and released on his own recognizance.

A preliminary hearing for Farr was scheduled for Oct. 18.