Grandpa faces jail for using girl to steal

TOMS RIVER, N.J., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A North Jersey man could be sentenced to as much as 14 years in prison for using his 4-year-old granddaughter to steal a purse on the Jersey Shore.

Daniel Twomey of Teaneck, N.J., pleaded guilty last month, Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Laura Pierro told the Asbury Park Press. Under a plea agreement, he faces up to seven years each count for using his granddaughter in a crime and for endangering the welfare of his 8-year-old grandson, who refused to take the purse.

A security camera at Lucky Leo's Arcade in Seaside Heights captured the image in September 2007 of a man pushing a little girl toward the purse. When the videotape was broadcast, Teaneck police identified both Twomey and the girl.

Prosecutors said that Twomey's image was also picked up at a Teaneck ATM where he tried to use a card taken from Jacqueline Stecher's handbag.

Pierro said that she will recommend consecutive sentences when Twomey is sentenced Sept. 26. A public defender said she will ask for concurrent sentences.

Twomey was rejected for a transfer to drug court, which would have allowed him to remain free as long as he got drug treatment.