The impact of the choices made by Kevin Albertson, 30, of Dowagiac was made clear by his victim Monday morning.

Albertson stood before Berrien County Trial Court Judge Scott Schofield for sentencing on a four-year larceny charge.

Charges came after Albertson reportedly stole property from Michiana Landscapes of Niles. Co-owners of the company, Charles Luker and Frank Lesser, were both present for the sentencing.

Luker said he doesn’t believe Albertson nor the three other individuals allegedly involved in the theft “really understand the impact they have had not only on us but our employees.”

“Most of our equipment was actually taken by these people,” he said.

The company, struggling under the weight of a recession, was “only able to replace a portion of what was stolen from us,” Luker said.

Because of the money lost on replacing numerous pieces of equipment with new equipment and decreases in business, Luker said the company was forced to let go of a couple of its workers.

“What really makes me angry is it actually impacted some of our employees,” he said.

Schofield clarified the court was, by law, unable to order the total money lost back to the victim; rather, restitution would reflect the value of the property stolen.

That amount was estimated at $3,595.

Albertson stood before Schofield with six prior misdemeanors. The judge sentenced him to three years probation, ordering no contact with any of the other three individuals involved in the theft or Michiana Landscapes. He was also ordered to pay restitution.

“I am truly sorry to see your company lose property,” Albertson said.

Schofield questioned the defendant’s lack of responsibility and Albertson apologized again, adding he was sorry to waste the court’s time.

“This would be time well spent if … you use this experience not to steal anything again,” Schofield said. “We’re spending lots of money on you. We’re wasting that money unless you use this experience to turn your life around and start making better choices.”