(Photo by Zachary Meseck)

NORWICH – A man accused of stealing more than $8,000 from local businesses and churches was remanded on $10,000 bail for a violation of probation, which is one of the crimes New York State still allows judges to set bail on.

Alexander R. Guzman, 32, of Norwich, was charged with eight counts of third-degree burglary, class D felonies; one count of third-degree grand larceny, a class D felony; fourth-degree grand larceny, a class E felony; two counts of petit larceny, class A misdemeanors; and six counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, class A misdemeanor.

According to a statement from the Norwich Police Department, Guzman forcefully broke into eight buildings owned by local businesses and churches starting back in July 2019. Police added that Guzman had stolen between $8,000 and $10,000 in total.

In Norwich City Court on Thursday, Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said Guzman was sentenced to three years of probation on September 26, 2019 after he was convicted on second-degree criminal contempt. Ferrarese said Guzman has committed numerous crimes since his conviction.

“The burglaries started in the middle of summer last year,” said Ferrarese. “According to his own admissions, he committed the crimes to pay for items he needed.”