Woman gets jail time for thefts

A Saxtons River woman sentenced four months to five years for shoplifting in Chester and armed robbery in North Springfield.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120919/NEWS02/709199897

McKennie Gabert of Saxtons River will serve four months to five years in prison for shoplifting and attempted robbery. Photo: CHRISTIAN AVARD / STAFF PHOTO Published September 19, 2012 in the Rutland Herald Woman gets jail time for silverware thefts By Christian Avard Staff Writer WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Saxtons River woman who has struggled with substance abuse admitted to shoplifting and attempted armed robbery Tuesday. McKennie Gabert, 22, appeared in criminal court in White River Junction with her attorney Eric Louttit. She pleaded guilty to one count of concealing stolen property from the Stone House Antique Center and assault and robbery with a weapon. She also pleaded no contest to simple assault. Gabert was sentenced to four months to five years in prison and will pay $423 in fines for stealing antique silverware from a Chester antique store and for robbing a North Springfield Irving Station with a BB gun. The stolen items included 12 spoons, 12 teaspoons, and 12 dinner forks, according to sworn statements to police. The items were stolen from the antique store in October 2011. Gabert pawned the silverware at the Chester Exchange in Chester, where many of the items were melted down, according to Chester Police. Ten of the 36 items were recovered, said Chester Police Chief Richard Cloud. In return for Gabert pleading guilty, the state dropped a petty larceny charge and a second concealing stolen property charge. In the attempted robbery case, Gabert pleaded guilty to assault and robbery with a weapon and no contest to simple assault. By doing so, she avoided charges of committing a crime with a weapon and petty larceny. According to police reports, Gabert held up the North Springfield Irving gas station on Route 106 in May. She was armed with a BB gun and wore a black sweat shirt, a black stocking over her face, and black glasses. The clerk, Tiffany McGill, handed Gabert $592 in cash and Gabert tried to make a getaway. The attempted robbery was thwarted by a Springfield man trained in Brazilian jiu jitsu who went inside the gas station to make a purchase. Nick Gomez, 27, chased Gabert down, held her in a neck restraint, and pinned the gun to the ground, he told police. Gomez’s friend Jason LaCross, 27, of Springfield, grabbed Gabert’s BB gun and Gomez “took Gabert back to the store” until police arrived. Windsor County Deputy State’s Attorney Heidi Remick told Judge Robert Gerety that Gabert’s crimes were fueled by substance abuse. Louttit said Gabert has been sober for four months since her arrest and will continue with her recovery work. Gabert will be eligible for furlough release in four months, according to the Gerety’s ruling. He wished her good luck and said recovery won’t come easy. “I’m glad you’re doing well. But it’s a long road and you need to be vigilant,” Gerety said.