Two teens sentenced for vandalism at Hawthorne Hills

LIMA - Dr. Gene Dugan told two of the boys Tuesday who tipped over carts at his golf club during the summer they not only hurt him financially but destroyed his sense of security.

"Each day when we wake up our first thought is there going to be another cart turned over? Is there going to be more holes in the green? Is there going to be another fire that puts us out of business?" Dugan said.

Dugan spoke before Judge Glenn Derryberry, of Allen County Juvenile Court, imposed suspended prison and jail sentences on two of the five teenagers responsible. The judge ordered each to pay $2,396 restitution for their roles. Total damage was near $100,000.

The two, Ryan Arnett, 17, of Salyersville, Ky., and Aaron Sheldon, now 18, of Alger, were convicted of felony vandalism. They also were placed on probation and ordered to write Dugan and his wife letters of apology.

The two participated in a vandalism spree July 1 at Hawthorne Hills Golf Club. Not only were 74 carts tipped over but a fire was set and 14 carts were completely destroyed.

More than anything Dugan, also a local dentist, wanted the two teens to understand how their crime, which he referred to as "a prank on steroids," affected his family.

The golf course has been in his family's name since 1963. He and his wife have managed it the past five years. Golf outings are the primary moneymaker for his business, which has sustained an enormous loss, he said.

Dugan said he is upset with the system that can't promise him full restitution. At the same time he wants the teens punished but does not want them to go to jail and risk becoming hardened criminals.

"You bet I'm upset," he said. "Do I want restitution? Yes. Whatever way I can get it. Simple as that."

Derryberry told each boy, sentenced separately, had it not been for spotless records they would be serving time behind bars. He said he was giving them one chance to do something with their lives.

"You have to think ahead to see exactly what the consequences will be and I don't think any of you did that," he said. "There's no such thing as a prank when you're dealing with someone's livelihood."

The teen who started the fire, Robert Cody Collins, now 18, of Ada, was scheduled to be sentenced but it was postponed until Jan. 14. Collins now lives in Union County and weather made it dangerous for his family to get to Lima, a court official said.

Sheldon walked into the courtroom and apologized to the Dugans before the hearing began.

Arnett asked the Dugans for forgiveness and promised to pay restitution.

In addition to Collins, Taylor Pinks, 15, of Ada, has to be sentenced, which may take place later this week. The only teen charged as an adult, because he was 18 at the time, Josue Martinez, of Ada, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 40 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $3,178 restitution.

The teens were caught after sheriff investigators followed footsteps they left behind in the morning dew that led to a campsite away from the golf course where they stayed the night.