NILES — A Niles man who stole thousands of dollars of construction equipment from a local business will serve time in prison for the crime.

Thomas Lano, 37, of Niles, was charged with the felony offense of unlawfully driving a vehicle. He pleaded no contest to the charge on April 27. Initially, Lano was charged with larceny of $20,000 or more, but this charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Judge Charles LaSata sentenced Lano to serve 23 to 60 months in a Michigan state prison. He has credit for 118 days served. 

The crime occurred on Oct. 13, 2017 a construction company at, 2929 Saratore Road in Bertrand Township, when Lano stole construction equipment, including a 2017 trailer, Vermeer skid steer and multiple attachments. The theft was captured on a security camera. An owner of the business valued the stolen equipment at approximately $51,000, according to court records.

Police found the construction equipment at 61586 Oak Road in South Bend, after they obtained a search warrant. South Bend police have also identified Lano as a suspect in other construction thefts, according to court records.

Before Lano received his sentencing, a victim who identified herself as a co-owner to the business spoke up. She told LaSata that as an employer, she tries to provide the best equipment to her employees.

“This knocked our feet out from under us,” she said. “The crime did not so much hurt me and my husband, but my employees who are out there every day working hard, tirelessly to put food on the table. Only to find out that now they have to deal with stolen property and appear in court.”

She asked the judge to take this into consideration as well as Lano’s record, which includes seven convictions.

In his client’s defense, attorney Scott Sanford said that Lano’s past convictions were not for violent offenses.

“These [his criminal record] are all theft related cases,” Sanford said. “He has been appreciative of the fact that this has brought light to mental health issues and he has received treatment for mental health issues.”

Lano confirmed these struggles when it was his turn to speak. He told LaSata that when this crime occurred he had been fighting mental health issues. He told the judge that the issues had caused him to go days or weeks without sleeping.

“I really apologize to the victim,” Lano said. “I ask that you take into consideration the help I have had with my mental health status.”

But LaSata said Lano had to take some responsibility for his actions.

“I don’t buy this mental health issue causing you to do it,” LaSata said. “You are a felon, sir. You steal other people’s things. You heard the victim talking about how distressing this has been.”

With his history of theft in mind, LaSata said Lano was “not getting it” and that prison was an appropriate sentence.

In addition to serving time, Lano was also ordered to pay $5,757.92 in restitution.