BLOOMINGTON - A 14-year-old LeRoy boy has been sentenced to 60 months of intensive probation for terrorizing local residents during a crime spree that included damage to the town's water plant and library.

McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Aaron Hornsby asked that the boy be sent to the state Department of Juvenile Justice for the series of crimes committed with two others.

Hornsby said the boy's record includes eight felony charges ranging from burglary and criminal damage to state-supported property, for knocking over 38 grave markers in DeWitt County to stealing a vehicle and breaking into the Crumbaugh Public Library and two stores in LeRoy in April.

"The damage to the (library) door is more than the $6 in cash they left with," said Hornsby.

The prosecutor asked that the boy and two co-defendants be required to pay $19,567 to the City of LeRoy for damage to the water plant and two tractors; $647 to the library; and $284 to the Discount Den. Criminal charges are pending against 17-year-old Ben Campbell related to the damage to the water plant and a minor involved in the April charges.

Judge Elizabeth Robb agreed with the restitution request but declined to make the minor's mother equally responsible for the damages.

Robb spoke directly and firmly to the boy.

"I recognize you have gone on a significant crime spree and the damage you have caused to the residents of LeRoy. You are known now by many of LeRoy's residents and your every move will be observed by a majority of residents. You will stick out like a sore thumb," said Robb.

The judge said the boy and his family could benefit from services under the Redeploy Illinois program that provides high-risk youth with community-based services rather than a sentence to the state's juvenile detention.

The boy also was ordered to write letters of apology to the victims and serve 30 days in juvenile detention, with credit for 40 days served. He must attend an extended day program and begin making $50 monthly payments on the restitution, an amount that will increase as he grows older, said Robb.

"Every single dime you make is to go to restitution," the judge said.

Defense lawyer Art Feldman argued for probation, citing the boy's young age.

"He's made some real bonehead decisions," Feldman conceded.