Greenfield man sentenced on attempted burglary charge

A Greenfield man was sentenced to community control and ordered to pay over $9,000 in restitution recently after pleading guilty to attempted burglary, an amended charge from an indictment earlier this year.

As previously reported, Riley Richards, 22, of Greenfield was indicted in April and charged with one count of burglary, a second-degree felony; one count of safecracking, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of grand theft, a fourth-degree felony.

The indictment alleged that during a period in May 2023, Richards “did by force, stealth or deception knowingly trespass in an occupied structure;” “knowingly enter, force an entrance into or tamper with a vault, safe or strongbox;” and “knowingly obtain or exert control over” $9,300 from the victim.

Richards pleaded guilty in July to an amended count of attempted burglary, a third-degree felony, instead of the second-degree felony burglary charge. The safecracking and grand theft charges were dismissed.

According to the plea agreement, Richards was to “pay restitution [of $9,300] in full prior to the sentencing hearing” Aug. 28.

Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Richards to three years of community control, plus 30 days in the Highland County Jail. He also ordered Richards to have no contact with the victim or any family member of the victim.

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