Warren County woman convicted of porch thefts

A Mason woman was found guilty of 12 counts of misdemeanor theft in a case built from surveillance video of her removing packages from porches of homes in neighborhoods along Butler-Warren Road, according to a release issued today.

The sentencing of Melissa A. Bergman, 30, of Mason, is scheduled for June 26 in Mason Municipal Court.

Bergman was found guilty of the thefts, all allegedly committed on July 27, 2017, in a written decision issued last month by Mason Municipal Court Judge D. Andrew Batsche.

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According to a release issued by Mason Municipal Prosecutor Bethany Bennett, Bergman was caught on video surveillance taking a package off a porch in Roberts Park posted by the victim on Facebook and used by others who reported seeing her driving around the area.

Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy John Mann located and stopped Bergman’s vehicle and found multiple packages taken from subdivisions along Butler-Warren Road in Warren and Butler counties.

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Bergman pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

According to the release, two psychologists testified during a two-day bench trial.

Batsche ruled, “the Defendant’s mental diseases did not prevent her from knowing the wrongfulness of her actions. She felt remorse and guilt after she stole some items and readily expressed this after she was caught.”

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Bergman, who is free while wearing an electronic monitor, has a prior theft conviction and is in a felony diversion program in Warren County Common Pleas Court, according to the release.

Her lawyer, Nicholas Graman, declined to comment, pending sentencing.

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