2 get state prison after guns stolen from Medina home

ALBION A Medina man was sentenced to three years in state prison today for taking guns and defacing them. His girlfriend received two years in state prison for selling a stolen gun.

Christopher Hollenbeck, 27, admitted in Orleans County Court on Jan. 13 that he broke into a house on Mill Road in Ridgeway on June 13. He pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted burglary and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Hollenbeck helped police locate the guns and has been cooperative with law enforcement, said his attorney Shirley Gorman. He faced a maximum of seven years in state prison.

The crimes were serious and warranted a sentence in state prison, Judge James Punch told Hollenbeck today.

The stolen guns could have ended up in the hands of a “murderer or a low-life,” the judge said.

Hollenbeck said he regretted his actions and he is thankful no one was hurt.

Punch said Hollenbeck invaded the privacy of the victims and took their hard-earned property. The judge issued an order of protection for the victims.

“This is a serious big-time crime,” Punch said.

Hollenbeck told the judge he used a credit card to break into the Mill Road home. His girlfriend, Rebecca Bischoff, 26, of Medina drove him to the site and allegedly helped him sell the defaced guns. She pleaded guilty on Jan. 27 to third-degree criminal sale of a firearm.

She was sentenced to two years in state prison today. She faced a maximum of 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison.

Bischoff apologized to the court and the community for her “irresponsible actions.”

Her attorney Nathan Pace said she has battled a heroin addiction and has been receiving help through the jail and the Genesee-Orleans Council of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He asked for a local jail sentence that would include weekends.

Punch said the crime “was too serious for probation.” He said Bischoff was well aware of her role in the crimes.

“This is a very serious criminal act,” he said.

Hollenbeck and Bischoff were each ordered to pay $500 in restitution.