The third of four men charged in connection with thefts at a Carbon County freight company was sentenced on Thursday in the county court.

Daniel Clifford Gruber, 42, of Lehighton, was sentenced to time-served (169 days) to one day less 24 months in prison followed by 18 months of probation. He previously pleaded to one count each of criminal conspiracy to commit criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property, all felonies.He was charged along with Ryan Dillman, 28; Nicholas Sickonic, 22; and Martin Konze, 45, all of Palmerton, with thefts at the New England Motor Freight facility, 457 Mahoning Drive in Mahoning Township. Gruber was a dock supervisor at the facility.Dillman and Sickonic previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced. Konze was scheduled to enter a plea in the matter on Tuesday but had it continued for the fifth time.According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by township police Chief Audie Mertz:At 3:45 a.m. March 9, NEMF reported a burglary/theft involving a cut in the fencing surrounding the facility.Police found a trail cut through the woods leading across a stream to the rear of a business on Ashtown Drive. Along the trail a large volume of merchandise was found.Police seized more than $6,000 in merchandise, which included more than 30 automotive tires, tools, plumbing fixtures, furniture and clothing. Additional items seized by police included fishing waders.As part of the investigation, search warrants were served on a vehicle and a residence in Palmerton.Police also seized merchandise from a building on First Street in Lehighton, and another residence in Palmerton. These items included power tools, plumbing fixtures, tires, clothing, hand tools, a large number of Xbox One systems and liquor.Gruber said his actions were fueled by a drug addiction to heroin. He added, "I messed up. The only thing I want to do is move ahead with my life." He said he is currently in counseling for the addiction problem.Matika noted that Gruber had worked for the victim for 10 years. He said, "He betrayed the trust" of NEMF.In addition to the jail term and probation period Matika ordered Gruber to supply a DNA sample, make restitution of $8,429.72 to the victim, render a total of 75 hours of community service, continue his counseling, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and probation.