Man Who Pleaded Guilty But Mentally Ill to Attempted Car Theft Sentenced

| June 4, 2017

GavelFRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – A man who pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges related to an attempted car theft in Barkeyville was sentenced last week.

According to court documents, on May 5, 23-year-old Tan Cao Nguyen, of Randolph, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty, but mentally ill to the attempted robbery of a motor vehicle, a first-degree felony, and theft by unlawful taking, a third-degree felony.

He was sentenced on Thursday, June 1, by Venango County Judge Robert Boyer and ordered to be transported to Torrance State Hospital in Westmoreland County for treatment.

According to court documents, Nguyen continues to suffer from mental illness, and if he doesn’t receive treatment, he poses a danger to himself and others.

For the attempted car theft, Nguyen received 21 months to 20 years, and for the theft by unlawful taking, he received 15 to 30 months. Those sentences are to be served consecutively, meaning Nguyen will serve a minimum of three years and a maximum of 22 years and six months.

Nguyen received credit for 139 days served and must pay restitution of $1,213.29.

As part of the guilty plea negotiation, the following charges were dismissed:

– Criminal Attempt – Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3
– Stalking – Repeatedly Commit Acts To Cause Fear, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Unauthorized Use Motor/Other Vehicles, Misdemeanor 2
– Criminal Mischief – Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
– Harassment – Follow In Public Place

Details of the Incident

According to a criminal complaint, around 9:29 a.m. on January 14, Franklin-based State Trooper Hagan was dispatched to a service station on State Route 8 in Barkeyville for a suspect who had attacked a man as he was attempting to get into his vehicle.

Trooper Hagan located the suspect (Nguyen) in a fast food parking lot across from the subject service station and took him in custody, the complaint continues.

According to the complaint, a witness – a 60-year-old man at the scene – observed the Nguyen traveling west in a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Massachusetts’ registration on Interstate 80 prior to the incident. The witness and Nguyen both got off I-80 at the Barkeyville exit and processed to a gas station.

According to the witness, upon arrival at the gas station, Nguyen exited the Jeep and pulled on the door handle of another vehicle in the gas station’s parking lot. Nguyen was unable to get in the vehicle, the complaint indicates.

The witness continued to watch him as he entered the store and walked around. The witness observed Nguyen exit the store and enter into an altercation with a known, 51-year-old man. The witness continued to follow Nguyen until Trooper Hagan arrived. The witness positively identified Nguyen after he was taken into custody, according to the complaint.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee – bearing a Massachusetts registration – was found to be reported as stolen on January 14, 2017, and the theft was confirmed by the Randolph Police Department in Massachusetts, the complaint continues.

While on the scene, Trooper Hagan also spoke with the assault victim.

It was learned that Nguyen followed the victim out of the gas station and to his vehicle – a 2009 Chevy Malibu. When the victim reached the Chevy Malibu, Nguyen then allegedly took a swing at him. The victim was able to avoid being struck. Nguyen then began to allegedly pursue the victim for a short distance on foot and then eventually fled on foot, according to the complaint.


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Category: Local News, News