Hampton men accept plea deals, admit attempting to burglarize Providence Forge businesses

Two Hampton men who attempted to break into businesses in the Providence Forge area last winter both accepted plea deals during Aug. 29 afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Edward Earl Hardy, 54, of the 600 block of Michigan Drive, Apt. J, and Garrett Michael Jones, 41, of the 300 block of Winston Drive, both entered guilty pleas to two counts of attempted burglary. One charge each of conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of burglary tools, and felony destruction of property were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, last Feb. 25, employees working at Food Lion to restore electricity noticed a vehicle in the parking lot around 4 a.m. that morning. An individual, later identified as Jones, walked up to the Subway door and attempted to kick it in. After failing to do so, he returned to the vehicle and removed a crowbar and attempted to gain access that way.

Food Lion employees contacted New Kent Sheriff’s Office, with a deputy responding about 10 minutes later. As the deputy arrived, the vehicle Jones and Hardy were driving left the parking lot. The deputy followed, later stopping the vehicle on East View Lane. After an investigation, the two men were arrested. An inspection of the vehicle revealed a silver crowbar that was used, while another inspection of the crime scene revealed the back door of Providence Forge Partners LLC had been pried open.

According to Gregory, Hardy spoke to officers and admitted that he was acting as a lookout for Jones. Hardy also commented that he and Jones had been driving up Interstate 64 and Interstate 95 robbing Chinese restaurants for money. The duo attempted to break into the Providence Forge businesses for money and to sell items for their drug addiction.

Under the plea deal, Hardy received a five-year sentence on each charge with all time suspended. He will serve 10 years on probation. Jones’ plea agreement calls for sentencing between the recommended guidelines (one year, 10 months to four years, two months). A presentence report is being prepared for Jones with formal sentencing scheduled for Oct. 24. Both men will pay a combined $3,625 in restitution for damages to the two places they attempted to burglarize.

In an unrelated case, a Richmond man will serve two years in jail for possessing heroin.

Thomas Lee Crute, 55, of the 4700 block of Cronin Drive, accepted a plea deal to an amended charge of possession of heroin (originally distribution of heroin).

In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 7, three people purchased heroin from Crute at the Interstate 64 eastbound rest area in New Kent. One of the people who purchased the drug passed out on the floor after injecting herself. When officers arrived the group identified Crute as the person who sold the substance to them.

Under the agreement, Crute received a 10-year sentence with eight years suspended. He is also facing time in other jurisdictions for similar crimes.