AUBURN - A local man was sentenced in Cayuga County Court Tuesday to six months in jail and five years probation for his participation in a Union Springs crime spree that included burglaries at the Be Happy Cafe, Saxton Electronics and Gillespie Chevrolet in October 2007.

Craig Mason, 22, of 19 Spring St., Union Springs, will also have to pay more than $20,000 in restitution as part of his conviction for second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree grand larceny and two counts of third-degree burglary.

Mason and his codefendant, Corey Burnett, 21, of 129 Cayuga St., Union Springs, stole food and electrical equipment from the cafe and Saxton Electronics before stealing a 2008 Chevrolet Impala from the Gillespie dealership.

Mason and Burnett both admitted to pushing the vehicle into the Owasco River near Route 5 in Aurelius.

Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said the car was completely destroyed as a result of the defendants' actions.

Mason's attorney, Joseph Sapio, said Mason had never been in trouble with the law before and requested that his client receive community service instead of a jail sentence.

The community service would allow Mason to continue to work and make payments on the restitution, which Sapio said was more important than serving time.

Cayuga County Judge Mark Fandrich disagreed and said shock probation with six months in jail was appropriate considering the severity of the crimes.