Man who stole from 'Superhero Alex' Somerset family sentenced
A 36-year-old Kingston man who broke into a vehicle in Somerset earlier this year and stole from the family of a local boy known as “Superhero Alex” was convicted by a District Court Judge and sentenced to jail, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced in a press release.
Garrett Turner was convicted of breaking and entering into a vehicle and larceny over $1,200 after a bench trial in Fall River District Court on Monday before Judge Kevin J. Finnerty. The judge sentenced the defendant to two years in the house of corrections with one year to serve and the balance of the jail term suspended for two years.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Nicole Cheney and Danielle Madden. The trial lasted three days and 17 witnesses were called to testify.
On Jan. 28, Somerset police respond to a report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering. Police met with the victims, the parents of a son with Down syndrome and cancer whom the community has nicknamed "Superhero Alex” for the strength he’s shown during his battle with cancer.
According to the press release, the victim’s Honda Pilot was broken into overnight and her wallet containing her driver’s license, debit card, credit cards, $200 cash, gift cards in various amounts ($500 to $700 worth) for Walmart, Target, Chick-Fil-A and Wendy’s, were stolen. At approximately 7:14 a.m., the victim was notified by her bank that a transaction for $211.90 was attempted at CVS. When reviewing CVS video surveillance, the male suspect attempted a $200 transaction at 3:50 a.m. for $200 in gift cards. That same male suspect was seen on ATM surveillance at Bank Five at 5:37 a.m. making a withdrawal for $243.50. The victim’s Department of Revenue card for child support was also used for $300 in Venmo transactions.
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Somerset police later determined that the defendant’s Venmo account was used for the $300 transaction. The defendant was subsequently arrested by Fall River police for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and multiple items connected to the larceny were located.
“I’m pleased the court convicted the defendant of breaking into the victim’s car and stealing property. It is very sad that this criminal conduct impacted a family which was dealing with a very ill child,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This defendant has a history of similar behavior. I’m happy the sentence will be served in addition the sentence he is already serving. I want to thank the prosecutors and investigators for their efforts in putting this case together, which resulted in a conviction.”
The defendant is currently serving a six-month jail sentence for a larceny case out of Plymouth County.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Man convicted after stealing from 'Superhero Alex' family in Somerset
