A Schuylkill County man, who previously admitted stealing valuable fishing equipment from a Lehighton resident, was placed on a long probation period Tuesday in Carbon County court and also faces a big restitution bill.

Brad Charles Comisac, 37, of New Ringgold, who previously pleaded guilty to theft, as a felony 3, was placed on probation for 36 months by Judge Steven R. Serfass.Lehighton police charged Comisac with taking fishing equipment from the property of David Betz along Cypress Street on Feb. 6, 2014. Serfass also ordered restitutionof $17,591.46.Comisac had challenged the original figure of $18,131 value for the equipment. Before Tuesday's sentencing, Serfass conducted a restitution hearing in which Betz testified concerning the value of the equipment taken. Betz said he has been a fisherman since age 6 and accumulated a lot of equipment over the years of his own and family members. He explained to the court how he arrived at the restitution figure.Comisac claimed that he helped a Matt Beers empty out a shed on the property and took items at the direction of Beers. Beers had been instructed by Betz to move items out of the shed as he was in the process of moving to Mahoning Township. Betz told police he never told anyone to take the fishing equipment. District Attorney Jean A. Engler said that the investigation showed Comisac took the items and was responsible for the value.In addition to the restitution, Serfass also ordered Comisac to render 150 hours of community service, pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation and supply a DNA sample.