Despite a plea from his attorney for leniency, George Aldrich of Etna Green was sentenced today to the maximum term allowed under a plea agreement entered in Kosciusko Circuit Court. He also was ordered to make restitution of more than $100,000.

Aldrich, 28, was the driver in the Dec. 2 burglary and theft from Rice Ford in Warsaw and Judge Rex Reed said that even though Aldrich didn't participate in the actual removal of vehicles from the lot, "this crime couldn't have occurred without that kind of assistance. ... You were very important to the overall burglary that occurred." The automobile theft ring has been linked to the death of Kathy Vroman, 48, of Milford.

Aldrich is the final defendant of three charged in connection with the theft of several vehicles from the car dealership. For sentencing purposes, a Class D felony auto theft conviction was merged into the Class C felony burglary conviction.

Lawrence Grant, 29, of Shipshewana, was sentenced to a total of 5-1/2 years for his role in the burglary, as well as a charge of assisting a criminal because of his participation in moving Vroman's body from the Country Car Co. in Milford, where it is believed she was shot, to a wooded area near Three Rivers, Mich.

Vroman's husband, William Vroman, 33, formerly of Milford, was ordered to serve two years of a four-year term in prison for taking part in the auto thefts.

Along with Grant and William Vroman, the restitution to be made to Rice Ford totals at least $109,342.73.

All three men worked at Country Car Co., which was owned by Jason Fisher.

Fisher, 23, of Millersburg, is charged with Kathy Vroman's murder and is set to go on trial in December. Fisher's father, Ralph Freddrick Fisher, 46, of Goshen, also is awaiting trial for conspiracy to obstruct justice.

During this morning's sentencing hearing, Aldrich's court-appointed attorney, Torrey Bauer of Lavender Law Offices, argued that his client "was employed at the wrong place at the wrong time" and asked the judge to consider a fully or partially suspended sentence.

Bauer said Aldrich takes responsibility for driving the others to Rice Ford, but denies any involvement with the "smash and grab" of keys through a window. He said Aldrich is quiet and shy and, on the night of the burglary, "was like a lamb being led to slaughter. ... He is not of the same ilk as those he was surrounded by the night this occurred."

Kosciusko County Prosecutor Chuck Waggoner said the lookout carries an equal burden in a crime and said Aldrich drove his accomplices to Rice Ford "not just once, but twice ... (so) he had an opportunity to back out." Waggoner said he agreed Aldrich "was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he chose to stay there."

It was also pointed out by Bauer that Aldrich is the father of three young children and that only his wife is employed. Bauer said Aldrich is the primary caregiver for his children because of the expenses involved in placing three children in day care and that imprisoning Aldrich would place undue hardships on his family.

Reed told Aldrich prior to sentencing him that the court would not accept responsibility for causing a hardship to his family. "You imposed that hardship when you chose to participate in those activities," he said.

Reed also rejected the argument that Aldrich could not walk away from the situation that led to the burglary. "You were with three or four people (that night)," Reed said. "There was a situation in your life where you walked away from the armed services ... why couldn't you walk away from three or four people?"

Waggoner said after the hearing that Aldrich was absent without leave after basic training and later received an "other than a dishonorable discharge." [[In-content Ad]]