CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Marin Independent Journal - Man in theft ring gets 3 years: "Man in theft ring gets 3 years
Nancy Isles Nation
Article Launched: 05/16/2007 11:10:38 PM PDT

A Richmond man was sentenced to three years in state prison Wednesday after admitting to being part of a burglary ring that operated in Marin and throughout the Bay Area.

Marin Superior Court Judge John Sutro told defendant Bruce Short, 35, that it appeared his criminal history dating to the early 1990s had been interrupted only by incarceration.

In arguing for a lighter sentence, Short's attorney, Robert Crowe of Larkspur, told the court his client was a small piece of a much larger case.

"Mr. Short was on parole, he had a drug problem and was living in his family's residence - sleeping in the garage," Crowe said. "He didn't have anywhere to go."

Crowe said there was no direct evidence connecting Short to the burglaries and said his client is seeking drug-abuse treatment.

Prosecutor A.J. Brady provided a laundry list of items that had been stolen, including an automatic teller machine, equipment from Pacific Gas and Electric Co., mountain bikes, computers, motorcycles, power tools and firearms.

Brady said what was not found in seven shipping containers in a Richmond storage facility was found in the garage where Short slept and in a truck parked outside that was loaded with computers.

In addition, four pistols and two rifles were found in the garage, Brady said.

Investigators have said the leader of the burglary ring was Joseph Luschen, 33, a suspect who was arrested on a warrant March 3. They said the value of the stolen goods was more than $750,000.

Luschen's arrest came a week after he had been released from jail on bail in connection with the theft of a North Marin Water District truck in January.

Luschen, who pleaded guilty to felony counts including burglary, auto theft, receiving stolen property and grand theft, is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

In making his ruling, Sutro said there are few cases in Marin that involve the amount of stolen goods that were seized in Short's case.

"This group of people has caused an incredible amount of damage, emotionally and financially, to a large group of people," Sutro said. "I believe Mr. Short was well aware of these thefts."

Sutro said he did not give weight to the fact Short is a drug addict because he did not seek treatment until his most recent arrest.

"He hasn't made an effort to stop except when faced with state prison," Sutro said.

Contact Nancy Isles Nation via e-mail at civiccenter@neteze.com