A Carbon County teen was sentenced to a county prison term Thursday in Carbon County court for his part in a burglary at a Palmerton business.

Angel Otero, 19, of Nesquehoning, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve three to one day less 24 months in prison on a charge of burglary, a felony.

Otero admitted his part in a burglary and theft incident on Jan. 26 in Palmerton. Otero and two other males entered the property of R&D Powersports at 439 State Road in Palmerton and removed four motorcycles.

According to the police report, officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at R&D Powersports. The communications center said the caller saw people pushing motorcycles south on State Road/Red Hill Road coming from R&D Powersports.

At the business, police noticed the bottom panel of a garage door on the southwest corner of the building was damaged. Suspects entered the building by removing a Plexiglas window from a door.

The bottom panel of the garage door was then pushed out, causing significant damage to the door.

The owner said four motorcycles were taken: two Suzuki 450 motorcycles, one Suzuki 250 motorcycle, and one KTM motorcycle. Officers followed State Road, which transitions to Red Hill Road as it enters Lower Towamensing Township.

Officers stopped where the road terminates at the entrance to American Zinc Recycling property and they saw a dark Hyundai SUV on Route 248 east.

Police began to approach the vehicle and observed a yellow motorcycle lying on the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle fled onto Route 248 East. Officers secured a Suzuki RM motorcycle. The witness told police she saw three men in dark clothing pushing motorcycles, and they were yelling to each other in Spanish.

Information was sent to Lehigh and Northampton counties.

At 1:13 a.m., police were notified that the Whitehall Police Department was in pursuit of a motorcycle in the area of Route 145. At that time police were advised by the communication center that Whitehall Police Department had a Hispanic man in custody on an orange and black motorcycle.

The motorcycle recovered on 248 East matched the stolen KTM motorcycle.

State Police at Lehighton recovered the Suzuki 250 motorcycle on State Road/Red Hill Road.

Whitehall police took the rider of the KTM motorcycle, identified as Otero, into custody.

Defense attorney Jennifer L. Rapa, of the public defender’s office, argued for a probation sentence, stating Otero had no prior criminal record and took full responsibility for his part in the break-in when arrested.

Otero told Serfass, “I’m remorseful and this will not happen again.”

Serfass, in rejecting the probation request, said, “The court took into consideration the presentence report, the offense, rehabilitative needs and its impact on the public.”

Serfass also ordered Otero to supply a DNA sample, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, pay court costs of about $1,000, make total restitution of $9,428.76 to the victim, R&D Powersports, and its insurance carrier.

He was given credit for three days already served and began the prison term immediately.