An Athens man could spend nearly eight years in state prison for stealing diamond rings from the Valley Walmart.
According to the Bradford County District Attorney’s Office, 34-year-old Matthey Patrick Gay was sentenced to a minimum of 23 months plus 258 days to a maximum of 95 months for the offenses of felony retail theft in the third degree and felony default in required appearance.
Gay stole seven diamond rings from the store on separate occasions in 2022. The rings were valued at over $7,000. Gay was seen on camera asking the clerk to see a ring and then when the clerk was distracted, he would replace the ring with another one from his pocket.
Gay was convicted on the theft charge but did not show up to his sentencing in August. He was then caught and sentenced to five to 24 months for similar crimes in Berks County.
The additional charge of default in required appearance was added when he returned to Bradford County in April.
