FARGO - A man who gave up farming and filed for bankruptcy began stealing farm equipment in North Dakota and Minnesota to make money, police say.

David Mehring, 51, of Pingree, was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison after pleading guilty to theft charges stemming from a dozen cases in five counties. He was accused of stealing $100,000 worth of farm equipment and trailers.

Mehring was ordered to repay more than $1,000, with the possibility of further restitution claims. He declined an opportunity to speak during the hearing.

Investigators said they recovered about $60,000 worth of fertilizer spreaders stolen in Minnesota. Mehring stashed the stolen items on other property and tried to sell them through classified ads, authorities said.

Derek Cruff, the West Fargo police detective who helped investigate the case, said Mehring has similar charges pending in Foster County and in Clay County, Minn.

"It made it quite difficult trying to coordinate things with so many jurisdictions," Cruff said after Tuesday's hearing. "Hopefully, this will put an end to this. I haven't had a trailer stolen since he was arrested."

Mehring had given up farming and filed for bankruptcy before "turning to other avenues for money," Cruff said.

East Central District Judge John Irby sentenced Mehring on charges in Cass, Barnes, Ransom, Stutsman and Mercer counties. Irby ordered the sentences to run at the same time, with five years of supervised probation to follow Mehring's release.

Assistant Cass County State's Attorney Cherie Clark said Mehring was "less than truthful" with investigators and downplayed his role in the crime spree.

"He has preyed upon the farmers, not only in Cass County, but the entire state in this case," Clark said.

Defense attorney Mark Beauchene said that while Mehring "has many transgressions," he accepted responsibility by pleading guilty.

"He has saved the taxpayers a great deal of time, effort and expense in doing so," Beauchene said.

Much of the equipment has been returned, though Cruff said Mehring showed no cooperation in helping authorities recover stolen property.