Father Of 4 Sentenced For Burglaries, Torching ATM In Bensalem: DA

A man who broke into a local business and also attempted an ATM heist in the Bensalem area has been sentenced to five to 10 years in state prison, the Bucks County District Attorney announced this week.

Troy Palmer, 44, of the 2300 block of East Boston Street in Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to burglary, attempted theft and criminal mischief charges before Bucks County Common Pleas Court Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. Palmer must also pay $10,787 in restitution to two businesses that suffered losses as a result of his actions.

Palmer, a father of four children ranging from ages 21 to 10, blamed his crimes on a drug addiction, and apologized to his victims during sentencing, the Bucks County District Attorney's office said in a statement.

Palmer's crime spree began in June 2015, when authorities say Palmer broke into Auto Matters, a body shop at 570 Station Ave. in Bensalem.

"Palmer ransacked the building, stealing inspection stickers, vehicle parts, tools and other equipment. Total losses were estimated at more than $30,000. He sold much of what he stole the next morning at a recycling business on Adams Avenue in Philadelphia," the District Attorney's office said in a statement.

Then later that month, he burglarized Kelley’s Auto Shop in Philadelphia. He caused between $30,000 and $50,000 in damage and losses during that burglary, authorities say.

A month later, Palmer tried to break into an outdoor ATM machine at TruMark Financial Credit Union, 1000 Northbrook Drive in Bensalem.

"He failed to open the ATM using a torch and a crowbar, but caused more than $4,000 in damage, putting the machine out of service for months," the District Attorney's office said.