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By James O’Malley

[email protected]

Fisher
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_sunshine.jpg.optimal.jpgFisher

WILKES-BARRE — Ain’t no sunshine where he’s going.

A Hazleton man’s role in a violent home invasion and other crimes have earned him a maximum state prison term of more than three decades.

Dennis Sunshine Fisher, 21, was sentenced Thursday in Luzerne County Court to spend 15 years and three months to 30 years and six months behind bars, according to court papers.

Judge Michael T. Vough credited the man for 284 days served.

Fisher pleaded guilty in April to six charges stemming from three separate cases, court papers say.

In one case he admitted to charges of burglary, aggravated assault and robbery, according to court documents. Fisher also admitted to a single count of escape in another and to charges of trespassing and possessing instruments of crime in a third.

He must make restitution of $1,200 in connection to the robbery. Fisher is to split the restitution with his co-defendant Amir Edwards, whose case is still pending. Edwards also faces a homicide charge in a separate case.

According to a criminal complaint, Fisher and Edwards made forcible entry to a 69-year-old woman’s West Hazleton residence in the early morning hours of Sept. 5.

The woman told police she was sitting at her kitchen table when they entered her home and immediately struck her in the face with “a hard object,” the complaint says.

Fisher went upstairs and Edwards continued striking the woman and demanded she go upstairs to find “the money” because “we know you have it,” police say.

After reaching the top of the stairs with the assistance of a motorized lift, the woman retrieved an envelope containing $1,200 which she handed over to the men, the complaint says. The men also allegedly made off with the woman’s checkbook, state Access card, debit card and other personal items before fleeing the scene.

Police say the woman indicated she recognized Fisher because he occasionally stayed with her neighbors. When questioned by police, the woman’s neighbors said they occasionally housed Fisher because he was homeless.

Fisher also sometimes associated with a man the woman identified as a “care taker” who occasionally stayed with her, the complaint says. The man was visiting relatives in Scranton at the time of the robbery, the complaint says, and Fisher was aware he would be out of town.

Investigators located both the Access and debit cards during a search of a residence frequented by Edwards in connection with the fatal Sept. 11 stabbing of Zachary John Richards.

During an interview with state police, Edwards allegedly admitted he and Fisher robbed the woman.

West Hazleton police arrested Fisher on Sept. 22 and took him in for questioning, according to a separate complaint. After his interview, police say, the arresting officer left Fisher in an interview room as he prepared documents related to his arrest and charges.

As the officer did so, another police officer requested his assistance in securing an uncooperative, intoxicated male. Fisher exited the interview room and fled the police station while the arresting officer was occupied, the complaint says.

Fisher was captured four blocks away.

The third complaint indicates Fisher also was charged in June 2014 with trespassing in a building that was for sale.

Reach James O’Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.