An earlier version of this story mistakenly identified Mark W. Morrison as a former Douglas County PUD lineman. His classification was wireman, assigned to work in the utility's substations.

WENATCHEE — A former wireman accused of stealing nearly $16,000 in fuel from the Douglas County Public Utility District pleaded guilty to theft Monday, along with another charge in an unrelated crime.

Mark W. Morrison, 46, was sentenced to 30 days in jail on a reduced charge of second-degree theft, plus a second-degree charge of possessing stolen property taken from a woman’s home on Twin Peaks Drive in Wenatchee.

Chelan County Superior Court Judge Lesley Allan ordered Morrison to repay $15,810 to the PUD, reflecting the amount of gasoline he bought between 2006 and 2011 with a fuel-account card stolen from his utility’s vehicle. He was charged with first-degree theft in April 2011.

In his plea statement, Morrison wrote, “While I did not use (the gas card) as much as the PUD claims, I wish to plead guilty in order to take advantage of the plea bargain and because a jury could convict me at trial.”

While awaiting trial, Morrison was arrested June 13 on suspicion of stealing four rings and a handful of hydrocodone tablets from the Twin Peaks Drive victim. The woman told Wenatchee police Morrison had recently done work around her home, and she noticed the items’ disappearance the week after Memorial Day.

Police connected Morrison to the crime through records of one missing ring sold to a Wenatchee jewelry dealer. His plea acknowledges only possessing the rings, not their theft nor that of the painkillers.

Each charge carried a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison, but Morrison’s lack of a criminal record qualified him for a range up to just 90 days. Allan also ordered him to receive a test for illicit drug use within 60 days.

A restitution amount to the Twin Peaks Drive theft victim has not been set yet.

Jefferson Robbins: 664-7123

robbins@wenatcheeworld.com