By AARON MUELLER
Dowagiac Daily News

CASSOPOLIS – Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge told Richard Davis to consider himself fortunate he did not receive more than the 240-day jail sentence and two-year probation sentence he was handed Friday.

Davis, a Dowagiac resident who pleaded guilty to operating a chop shop in March, also had habitual offender second status.

Davis, 30, recently stole a Michigan State Police “bait trailer” packed with a snowmobile and quad runner on Barron Lake Road in Niles.

The police were then able to track down the trailer at Davis’ residence, where he was arrested.

“This defendant needs to realize his actions have an impact on the community,” Prosecutor Victor Fitz said. “It increase crime, drives insurance premiums up.”

Defense attorney Lawrence Quigley cited the defendant’s good work history and nine years without a conviction.

Davis expressed remorse.

“I know I’ve done wrong. I do have skills and should have been focusing on better things,” he said. Dodge warned Davis of the severity of the offense.

“It’s not like picking up a dollar bill off the street,” Dodge said. “This is serious theft activity. You took a trailer.”