Today Richard Dean Hetherington, 40, was found guilty as charged of Burglary of a Dwelling and Petit Theft following a two day trial in Charlotte County. He faces up to 15 years in prison at his sentencing on June 1st.
In April 2016, Hetherington walked into the garage of the victim’s home in Rotonda West through the open garage door to steal a ladder. The victim, who was inside the home, heard some noise in the garage and went out to investigate. As she got through the door she saw the defendant with her ladder. She asked who he was and he apologized and said that someone named John sent him. She did not know a John and yelled at Hetherington to get out.
He walked out of the garage taking a chamois cloth that was covering a surge protector with him. He got into the passenger side of a pickup truck which was still running in the street at the end of the driveway. The getaway vehicle was being driven by his co-defendant. The house was on a cul-de-sac so they had to drive to the end of the street to turn around, forcing them to drive right back past the victim.
A neighbor of the victim caught the truck on their surveillance video. The co-defendant was able to be identified through the truck and he, in turn, identified Hetherington.
Hetherington’s co-defendant and getaway driver, Kyle Enos, pled to his charges in June 2016. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail followed by 1 year of community control followed by 2 years of probation. As part of his plea agreement he was required to truthfully testify against Hetherington at trial. He did testify.
Assistant State Attorneys John Grochowski and Garrick Soja prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org