Man gets 21/2 years in jail for Saugus home invasion

SALEM – A 25-year-old Boston man who admitted participating in a brutal home invasion in Saugus a year ago was handed a sentence of 21/2 years in jail with four years of probation.Brandon Werntz, of 42 Cottage St., Boston, made his plea Thursday in Salem Superior Court, confessing to two counts of armed robbery, home invasion, as well as two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.Judge John T. Lu handed down the sentence.Assistant District Attorney John B. Brennan said he was prepared to show at trial that on the afternoon of July 1, 2010, Werntz along with his alleged accomplice, Estiben Mejia, 20, and busted into a home at 9 Great Woods Road armed with guns.The 27-year-old homeowner, Michael Schran and his 28-year-old female friend were in the bedroom at the time when Mejia entered and threatened the couple with the handgun. He ordered the woman who had grabbed her cell phone not to call 911 and grabbed the cell phone from her during the home invasion as the two intruders rummaged through the home looking for items to steal.They stole the cell phone, $350 in cash along with electronic equipment and other personal property before fleeing from the home. The victims were able to provide police a description of the gray Chevy getaway vehicle, which was tracked down a short time later and the suspects were arrested.When police arrested Werntz they found the woman’s cell phone in his backpack.Although Schran and his female friend were not present for the plea, Brennan emphasized to Lu that both “were in fear” and both had a firearm pointed at them.Brennan sought a three- to four-year prison term for Werntz instead of a jail sentence, with probation and conditions.Defense lawyer Joseph Eisenstadt asked the judge to impose the 30-month punishment with probation, reminding the judge that Werntz is a “candidate for rehabilitation.”While on probation Werntz is to stay away from the victims and their residence, be evaluated for drug treatment and counseling, refrain from all illegal substances, maintain a full-time job, be in school or have two job applications on file weekly, not associate with any known felon and pay $350 in restitution.The judge credited him the 377 days he has spent in jail awaiting trial on the case.Mejia remains held in custody in lieu of bail pending the outcome of his case. His next scheduled court date is Aug. 2 for filing of preliminary trial motions.