Lynn man pleads guilty to burglary charge, receives up to five years in prison

SALEM – A Lynn man who admitted trying to burglarize a Lynn home on Maple Street last summer will spend up to five years in state prison before being placed on probation.Richard Pittman, 39, of 21 Beacon Hill Ave., Lynn, avoided a trial by changing his plea to guilty Thursday afternoon in Salem Superior Court.He pleaded guilty to attempting to commit a crime of breaking and entering, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene after causing property damage and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.He was sentenced to serve not less than three years and not more than five years in state prison by Judge Howard J. Whitehead.Upon completion of his prison term, he will be on probation for another five years.It was around 9:40 p.m., on July 4, when Pittman was seen trying to pry a window open with a crow bar at a home at 121 Maple St. As a witness quickly notified police, the home security system alarm went off at the home and Pittman fled the scene in a Ford Taurus.Police officers responding to the scene saw Pittman and a pursuit began. During the chase Pittman drove his vehicle at two police officers standing by their cruisers, but they were not harmed.He then smashed into a pole, exited the vehicle and police officers chased him on foot before he eventually was arrested on Maple Street.Lynn Police officer Richard Fucci was the arresting officer.Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Sheehan was seeking a longer punishment of 4-to-5 years in prison based on the facts of the case.Defense lawyer Sierra Rosen argued for a lesser punishment.Pittman was indicted by an Essex County grand jury last August and has been held in custody in lieu of bail since.