In Troy, Ohio, a teen who stole more than $9,000 to buy a Nintendo Wii was saved of being sent to prison by the forgiveness of his grandmother.
Richard Bruckner, 18, reportedly stole $9,045 from his 78-year-old grandmother. She called the police when she noticed the money missing from her pillowcase, where she stashed it.
According to police, Bruckner began by taking about $10 to $20 at a time from the pillow and eventually moved up to larger amounts. A police report states that Bruckner used the money to feed an addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as purchase a Nintendo Wii console.
At sentencing, Common Pleas Judge Robert Lindeman read the request by Bruckner’s grandmother that her grandson not go to prison, reported Dayton Daily News.
“It is probably the only thing that saved you… I think your behavior is pretty low, to steal from someone who has helped you out so much,” Lindeman said. “She is a very forgiving lady.”
“I guess I had a lot of other things clouding my vision,” Bruckner answered to why he stole from his grandmother.
Bruckner was ordered to complete five years of community control and make restitution with monthly payments of $150. If the community control is revoked, he faces 11 months in prison.
