Philadelphia Man Draws Long Sentence For String of Burglaries in Montco
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Montgomery County judge has sentenced a serial burglar from Philadelphia to at least seven years behind bars in state prison for burglarizing four homes over a three-day period last year -- while he was on house arrest.
Marwan Hawes was convicted in May of four counts of burglary and related charges for breaking into homes in Lower Gwynedd, Springfield, Cheltenham, and Lower Merion.
Hawes, 35, who has a significant prior record, was sentenced to seven to 14 years.
Montgomery County prosecutor Jim Staerk wanted Hawes put away for a long time because of the impact these crimes had on the victims who, he says, in many cases lost jewelry that can't be replaced.
"Heirlooms that are precious because of sentimental value -- a wedding ring, an engagement ring, a ring her father gave her, earrings inherited from her grandmother."
That victim told the court that she's uncomfortable in her own home and can still see the ransacked rooms of her home.
Defense attorney John McMahon hoped to mitigate the sentence by arguing that Hawes went 15 years without a conviction, and he believes his client has learned from his mistakes.
