Man gets 3 years in jail for attempting to steal water truck

On Oct. 22, 2012, a rancher noticed his water truck being moved from where it was parked. As the rancher drove towards the truck, it stopped and George Edward Boston, 37, exited the truck and ran away.

The rancher and two ranch workers chased Boston and when they caught up to him, Boston began to pull away so one of the workers roped Boston’s left hand, and Boston was detained until Tulare County Sheriff deputies arrived.

On Feb 20, 2013 Boston pled no contest to one count of driving a vehicle without the owner’s permission, in violation of Vehicle Code section 10851(a), a felony, and one count of possession a stolen motor vehicle in violation of Penal Code section 496d(a), also a felony. He admitted special allegations under Penal Code section 666.5, having a prior auto theft, and three special allegations of Penal Code section 667.5, having served prior terms in state prison.

On Wednesday, Judge Brett Alldredge sentenced Boston to three years prison, but he will serve his time in county jail instead of state prison. The judge gave him a split term where he will serve one year in custody and two years out of custody under mandatory community supervision, over the objection of the Office of the District Attorney.