-. Two Fauquier County men pleaded guilty Tuesday to

Two Fauquier County men pleaded guilty Tuesday to 13 counts each of destruction of private property. Lawrence Edward Hitt Jr., 21, Rt. 2 Box 276, Warrenton and Johnny Ray Dean, 19, Rt. 2 Box 440, Nokesville were charged after 15 mailboxes in the Tiger Valley/Castleton area were vandalized last week.

According to Capt. Ed Streapy of the Rappahannock County Sheriffs Department, the two were charged, along with a juvenile, after a county resident who lives on Rt. 729 heard noises outside early one morning and investigated. He discovered the two standing in the road next to a car, beating on mailboxes with what later turned out to be metal pipes.

When they realized they had been seen, the two jumped into the car and sped away. T7ie resident gave chase, Capt. Streapy said, and wAs able to get the car’s license number. He reported that to the Sheriffs Department and Capt. Streapy’s investigation led to the arrest of Hitt, Dean and the juvenile male. - In General District Court on Tuesday, the two waived their right to counsel after Judge Charles Foley told them that the offenses, a Class I misdemeanor, could land them in jail. Each count is punishable by a maximum 12 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. • Then, both men pleaded guilty. In soft voices each answered “Yes, sir” when Judge Foley asked them if they understood their right to a trial. They sat uneasily, looking around the courtroom as Judge Foley shuffled through the 13 warrants sworn against each.

Capt. Streapy told Judge Foley that “the young men were cooperative at the time of their arrest.”

“Based on your statements, and on the officer’s testimony, I find you guilty of these offenses,” Judge Foley told the two men.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Peter Luke requested that final disposition of the case be deferred until he had obtained a total figure for restitution of the destroyed mailboxes. Judge Foley granted his request and set