Debra Chance gets released from prison, restitution required

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman convicted of stealing more than $600,000 from a local car dealership will be released from prison with certain stipulations imposed by the court.

Debra L. Chance, 42, of Kerrywood Street, appeared today before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for a judicial release hearing on her 2011 conviction for theft, a third-degree felony.

Chance asked the court to release her from prison after serving about 27 months of her four-year sentence. She was convicted in 2011 of stealing more than $600,000 from The Honda Store on Boardman-Canfield Road where she was employed.

Judge Krichbaum approved the request for early release after a verbal exchange with the prosecutor and defense counsel, and stipulations placed on Chance.

The judge told Chance she will be spending the next five years on parole to the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and will be required to complete a treatment program at CCA in Youngstown. She will also be required to maintain a job and give half her salary to the dealership over the next five years as restitution.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com