SALEM — A Lynn man who lured a mentally disabled 52-year-old man into helping him steal power tools from the Home Depot in Salem last summer was ordered yesterday to serve a year in jail.
Wilbert Cooper, 56, pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny by single scheme during a hearing yesterday in Salem District Court.
Judge Robert Brennan imposed a two-year jail term, ordering Cooper to serve one year, with the other year suspended for two more years. During that time, Cooper will be on supervised probation, with conditions that include random drug tests and a requirement that he stay away from the disabled man and all Home Depot stores.
That sentence was the result of a plea agreement reached between prosecutor Patrick Collins and defense lawyer Tom Burke.
Collins told the judge that he was willing to recommend less committed time than he might ordinarily seek for someone with a nine-page record because he wanted to avoid putting Cooper's unwitting accomplice on the stand.
Alton Bullock, 52, who lives in a Saugus group home, was arrested in August after security guards at the Highland Avenue store saw him wheel a shopping cart containing nearly $1,000 worth of power tools out the door.
The guards had seen Bullock, accompanied by two men, pushing a cart around as the two men filled it with tools.
When they approached the cart, the other men ran, leaving Bullock behind to take the rap, police said at the time.
After Bullock's arraignment, his Department of Mental Health caseworker approached police and explained that he was a highly susceptible person who had been offered drugs in exchange for his help.
Prosecutors earlier this week dismissed their case against Bullock.
Police have not determined the identity of the second man seen with Bullock that day.
Courts reporter Julie Manganis may be reached at 978-338-2521 or jmanganis@salemnews.com.
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