Men draw prison for Montco burglary spree

Businesses in Limerick, Upper Merion, Plymouth and Collegeville targeted

NORRISTOWN >> Their burglary spree “haunted” Montgomery County small business owners, robbing victims of their sense of security, and now the burglars are headed to prison.

Anthony C. Thomas, 50, of Camden, N.J., the alleged ringleader of the two-man crime spree, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 10 to 20 years in state prison on charges of burglary, attempted burglary and conspiracy in connection with 10 separate incidents that occurred between August and September 2018 at businesses in Limerick, Upper Providence, Lower Providence, Upper Merion and Plymouth townships and Collegeville.

Thomas’ co-conspirator in a handful of the crimes, Darnel A.

Carter, also of Camden, who prosecutors said acted as the getaway driver or lookout, was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison on burglary-related charges.

The sentences were imposed by Judge Wendy G. Rothstein who convicted each man of the charges during non-jury trials at which each man stipulated to certain facts contained in an affidavit of probable cause.

Thomas and Carter must share in the payment of $13,263 restitution to the victims, who owned gas stations, restaurants and pizza shops in the region. Cash and cigarettes were stolen during the break-ins, according to court documents.

Often, Thomas broke glass windows to enter the businesses, court documents indicate.

Rothstein said the defendants’

Thomas actions “caused a great deal of harm” and stress to the business owners whose sense of security was violated.

“This is a twoman burglary spree that haunted local, small businesses in the community. It is an invasive, personal crime,” said Assistant District Attorney Furrah Qureshi, who ar

Carter

gued for lengthy prison terms against each man.

Qureshi argued Thomas, who had previous convictions for other crimes including burglary, had a history of “helping himself to other people’s belongings.”

“This is a repeat offender who feels entitled. His actions were that he was going to take whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. It’s a crime of entitlement,” argued Qureshi, who handled the case with co-prosecutor Scott Frame.

The victims were not present during the burglaries and no one was injured during the break-ins.

Thomas’ lawyer, Wana Saadzoi, argued Thomas battled a drug addiction for 20 years which contributed to his crimes. Saadzoi argued that Thomas should receive treatment with any sentence.

“At the time of these incidents I was under the influence of drugs and wasn’t thinking properly,” Thomas addressed the judge. “I apologize for my actions.”

The judge said Thomas is eligible for the state prison system’s Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive program, which allows eligible non-violent offenders to receive reductions of their minimum state prison sentences if they successfully complete all required treatment and maintain goodconduct records in prison. Prisoners can be released upon completing the program only if officials are satisfied that the offenders pose no risks to public safety.

Thomas could be released after serving 100 months of his minimum sentence if he successfully completes the prison program.

Carter is eligible for the same program and could be released after serving 27 months of his minimum sentence, court records indicate.

“It’s readily apparent this man has a very heavy drug addiction issue,” defense lawyer George Griffith Jr. said on Carter’s behalf, suggesting Carter committed the crimes “to fuel his drug addictions.”

Carter was credited for cooperating with detectives after his arrest and Griffith pointed out Carter’s involvement in the crimes was on a lesser scale than Thomas’ involvement.

“I made a lot of bad mistakes. I realize that now. I never left the car but I was involved. I have a bad drug habit,” said Carter, who offered an apology to the business owners.

But Qureshi argued Carter was not genuinely remorseful and “joined forces” with Thomas during some of the break-ins and she sought a sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison for Carter.

Mega Millions (Dec. 13): 17-21-29-39-56 Mega Ball: 22 Megaplier: 3 Powerball (Dec. 14): 3-6-12-32-64 Powerball: 19 Power Play: 3

Pick 3 (Dec. 15): 0-2-6 (Day: Dec. 16: 3-0-1) Pick 4 (Dec. 15): 8-8-8-5 (Day: Dec. 16: 9-0-0-5) Jersey Cash 5 (Dec. 15): 8-9-18-29-30 Xtra: 2 Pick 6 (Dec. 12): 1-7-37-38-46-49

Online: Check out the lottery Master’s blog HTTPS://KARLSLOTTERYBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM