PARIS — A former Fryeburg Academy student charged in a string of home burglaries last year pleaded guilty Wednesday and received two suspended five-year prison sentences. 

Dylan Thorner, 20, of Bridgton Road pleaded guilty to five felony counts of burglary and one felony count of aggravated criminal mischief in Oxford County Superior Court. Three counts of criminal mischief, six counts of theft and one count of arson were dropped in the plea deal.

Active-Retired Justice Robert Clifford sentenced Thorner to five years in prison, all suspended, with three years of probation for three of the burglary charges and an additional five years, all suspended, and two years of probation for the additional counts. 

Thorner was also ordered to pay each victim $25 a month and complete community service or job training.

Thorner admitted to a string of home invasions, including burglarizing the same house twice, in October and November 2013, leaving residents of East Fryeburg concerned for their safety. 

He waived his right to have his case presented to a grand jury and accepted a deal from prosecutors that substantially lowered the maximum sentences he faced: a total of 50 years in prison and over $85,000 in fines. 

Factoring heavily into the sentence was a court-ordered psychological exam that showed Thorner was competent to stand trial but has Asperger’s syndrome, according to Assistant District Attorney Joesph O’Connor. 

Thorner has no prior record. 

Defense Attorney John Jenness said his client suffers from an autistic spectrum disorder which has required substantial medical treatment over the years.

“Right from the very start Dylan has expressed remorse,” Jenness said. 

“In 42 years of dealing with people in criminal courts,” Jenness said, it was his opinion that “Dylan would not survive substantial incarceration.”

Homeowners affected by the invasions asked for a stiffer sentence.

Irene Dodge, 72, said she and her 85-year-old husband were terrorized by the ordeal after their home was broken into twice in as many days. 

“Despite everything we’ve done, we’ve lost all sense of safety in our home,” she said. 

“I understand intellectually the reasons for the plea bargain … however, emotionally, to me, a slap on the hand to him is a slap in the face to the victims.” 

Justice Clifford said, “I understand the feelings of the victims; I’m not sure any other sentence would be appropriate in this case, given the conditions of the defendant.”

According to a timeline in an affidavit by Fryeburg police Chief Joshua Potvin, the burglary spree began Oct. 28, 2013, when Thorner forced open a deadbolt at Harvest Hills Animal Shelter at 1389 Bridgton Road and stole keys to a van. Thorner said he had nothing against the animal shelter, but was just “angry,” according to Potvin. 

The following day, Thorner broke into a home on North Elkins Brook Road and the next day returned and took $240 in cash and a vehicle, which was recovered a few miles away. 

On Nov. 2, he broke into houses at 100 Sanborn Road and 12 Baker Circle, stole from and damaged the homes. 

The spree ended Nov. 12 when he broke into a house at 64 Belair Estates Road, took an iPod and headphones. While searching the home, he dropped a smouldering cigarette on a mattress, which caught fire and spread to the house. Thorner later said he did not intentionally set the blaze and attempted to stamp the flames out, but panicked and fled the home, according to the affidavit. 

Homeowners were home and sleeping during several of the burglaries, but no one was injured, police said. 

Police linked DNA taken from Thorner to a cigarette found at one of the homes. Thorner later admitted to the crimes and was arrested on Feb. 5, police said.

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