A Lancaster judge told a serial burglar Wednesday a life of crime factored into his longest prison term yet for two burglaries last year at East Lampeter Township hotel rooms.
Willie L. Robertson Jr. has criminal convictions dating back to 1985, including at least three separate felony burglary convictions.
Since 1985, Robertson has at least 18 separate criminal convictions and 17 violations of parole and probation.
Robertson, now 51, will serve 5 to 12 years in state prison for burglarizing two rooms at Motor Lodge on Old Philadelphia Pike. Robertson stole electronics and furnishings.
A cigarette left inside one of the rooms tied Robertson to the break-ins.
Lancaster County Judge Howard Knisely ordered a sentence at the high end of state guidelines, telling Robertson he has continued to commit crimes, including felony burglaries.
Robertson apologized, citing a drug addiction as motive in the crimes.
A jury convicted Roberston in May of two counts of felony burglary and two misdemeanor counts of theft.
Assistant District Attorney Maria Cusick presented evidence that Robertson had stayed at the hotel for a week in early April 2015 and returned on April 21 and May 6 for the break-ins.
Police recovered a cigarette left inside one of the rooms; DNA was matched to Robertson. Also, police executed a search warrant at Robertson’s South Ann Street home and found some of the stolen loot.
East Lampeter Township police Detective Sgt. Brian Cloonan filed charges.
Robertson has prior convictions for theft, receiving stolen property, hit-and-run, drug-dealing, DUI, and providing false ID to police.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright