Change of plea filed in boat break-ins case

An arrangement has been reached in the case of a series of boat break-ins that took place late last fall at Heritage Harbor.

On November 19 Wrangell police were called in to investigate several boats reported broken into during the night. A variety of items were taken and some damage done, with one vessel’s door being broken during the intrusion.

By November 23 officers had located their suspects and a number of the missing items at an apartment near Inner Harbor, thanks in part to the assistance of security camera footage. Following arrest and indictment, one of the two men charged with the crimes changed his plea earlier this month. Laven Ritchie, age 19, has pleaded guilty to a series of eight charges, including burglary, theft and tampering with physical evidence.

Codefendant Aaron Howell, now 21, had already pleaded guilty, and received a suspended entry of judgment on January 26 for a count each of Burglary 2 and Tampering with Physical Evidence. He was put on probation for a year, and ordered to perform 160 hours of community service.

Ritchie’s conditions were modified on April 13 to allow him to seek treatment, and he was released into the custody of the Adult & Teen Challenge Alaska program in the Wasilla area. Participating by phone last Thursday, Ritchie accepted a waiver of indictment presented to him by Judge Kevin Miller at Wrangell District Court.

Three charges of Burglary 2 will be consolidated for him, resulting in 18 months’ suspended time. The tampering charge would result in 18 months’ suspension, and the Theft 3 count would result in 30 days flat time to serve.

Under the agreement, two charges of Theft 2 relating to firearms and value between $1,000 and $24,999 would be dismissed, as would the charge of Criminal Mischief 4, for property damage of $250 to $999.

In all, Ritchie has 267 days suspended. For the remaining 30 days, the court ordered that time spent in treatment can be counted toward it. Should the defendant be discharged or leave treatment without court approval, Ritchie’s bond requirement would be immediately reinstated, with him having to return to Wrangell to serve jail time. Following completion of the treatment regimen, proof will need to be filed with the court to be eligible for credit.

A status hearing has been set for June 26, and a sentencing hearing for September 25.