LaPlante Calls on Court to Impose Max. Sentence on Repeat Scofflaw Who is Back on the Street

 

By: Tom Duggan – September, 2010

LAWRENCE, MA, August 14, 2010: In an unprecedented action, Lawrence City Councilor Marc L. Laplante calls on the Lawrence District Court to “throw the book” at Victor Delgado, who Lawrence Police call “Lawrence’s number one car breaker” in Delgado’s upcoming trial.

Delgado, 79 Haverhill Street, was released on $500 bail this past Thursday for his August 2, 2010 arrest for willful destruction of property over $250, receiving stolen property, daytime breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony, and a July 22, 2010 arrest for larceny under $250, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor. The trial date is continued to September 3 in Lawrence District Court.

“I informed the Lawrence Police Department that Delgado is back on the street, and they are incorporating that information as they conduct patrols,” said Laplante.

Delgado has had 24 arraignments since 2007, mostly for car breaks and property thefts. According to Lawrence Police, car breaks were up 70% immediately after Delgado was released from jail in 2009.

In an unusual request, Councilor Marc Laplante submitted a “Victim’s Impact Statement” urging the Court to consider not only the direct victims of the crimes, but the effect Delgado’s repeat crimes are having on local businesses, the Lawrence Police Department, and Lawrence citizens. Laplante’s letter is attached to this release.

“Lawrence has lost about a third of its police officers through recent budget cuts, and the citizens cannot afford lenient sentencing should Mr. Delgado be found guilty,” said Laplante. “Lawrence’s resources are so scarce that I am imploring the Court to maximize Mr. Delgado’s sentence should he be found guilty.”

“How many more lives must be impacted before our justice system takes an aggressive stance against this repeat offender?”questioned Laplante.

Laplante also noted that Delgado’s crimes have impacted the business area near Lawrence City Hall. “Delgado’s larcenous activities near the eateries in the Lawrence City Hall area have impacted these businesses with customers fearful of parking in the vicinity,” wrote Laplante.

This chilling of commerce impacts the livelihood of these small business owners and contributes to an unprofitable environment that jeopardizes their business. I represent a city that has high unemployment and considerable abandoned properties. A frequent criminal flyer like Mr. Delgado exasperates an already difficult business climate that leads to unemployment in my City.”

Delgado’s Partial Rap Sheet*

August 2, 2010 – willful destruction of property over $250, receiving stolen property, daytime breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony;

July 22, 2010 – larceny under $250, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor;

November 25, 2009 – receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct;

August 1, 2009 – trespassing, possession of heroin, receiving stolen property over $250;

February 21, 2008 – trespassing;

February 6, 2008 – breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, trespassing.

Laplante is in his third term on the Lawrence City Council. He is the Chairman of the Lawrence City Council Housing Committee, and also serves on the Lawrence City Council Personnel Committee.

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