Nicholas McClendon.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Moultrie man tied by DNA to a 2015 pharmacy burglary was sentenced to serve a two-year prison sentence.

Superior Court Judge James E. Hardy sentenced Nicholas Dewayne McClendon to serve the balance of the 20-year sentence on probation, with two years to be served at Colquitt County Correctional Institution.

McClendon, 36, entered a guilty plea and was sentenced on Nov. 14 on a count of smash and grab burglary. His criminal case was delayed as he missed several court dates — and he was arrested on bench warrants at least twice before he pleaded guilty.

A sheriff’s deputy caught Stacey James Daniels Jr. exiting Crystal Pharmacy at about 1 a.m. on July 22, 2015. About 15 minutes before a burglar alarm was tripped at the 705 S. Main St. location, a bomb threat was called in to Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

Police were suspicious the call was a diversion. Sheriff’s units entered the city to be on hand if their assistance was needed and a Norman Park Police Department officer also was dispatched to Moultrie.

A second man escaped that night, but some clothing was found at a residence behind the pharmacy building. DNA from those items later was linked to McClendon.

In addition to prison and probation time, Hardy sentenced McClendon to pay a $2,000 fine and to pay restitution of up to $1,716 to Crystal Pharmacy. McClendon also was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service work and undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment.

Daniels, 37, who pleaded guilty in 2016, was sentenced to 10 years, three to be served in prison and seven on probation, ordered to pay up to $1,716 in restitution to the business and to reimburse Colquitt County $500 for attorney fees.