Sebring man sentenced for burglaries

By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Sebring man who aspires to attend a Bible college was sentenced to prison for two years Thursday for breaking into homes.
Richard A. Beach, 24, of Pennsylvania Avenue, had pleaded guilty in September to three counts of burglary and one count of theft.
His attorney, Robert J. Rohrbaugh II, said Beach broke into several homes in the Sebring area and stole firearms, jewelry and electronic equipment. The thefts were between December 2000 and July 2001.
Rohrbaugh said he will ask Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to reconsider the sentence.
"I don't think this man will do well in prison. He's an unsophisticated rural American," Rohrbaugh said. "I don't think his mind operates as a normal 24-year-old."
Rohrbaugh said Beach has a certificate deeming him a "prayer partner" in the Progressive Universal Life Church. He also has a parking pass that says he is a minister deserving of parking privileges at hospitals.
Beach studied for and received the certificate via the Internet, Rohrbaugh said. He did not know the origin of the church and said Beach does not have a congregation.
"He wants to make it even more legitimate by attending a Bible college in Salem," Rohrbaugh said.
bjackson@vindy.com