Philadelphia Man Gets 10-20 Years In String of Area Home Burglaries
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A 64-year-old Philadelphia man who has already spent more than half his life behind bars is headed back to prison after pleading guilty to being part of a burglary spree that targeted more three dozen homes around the Delaware Valley.
William Perkins admitted in court that he was the lookout and the getaway driver who, along with John Wilson, burglarized dozens of homes in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery counties (see previous story).
He was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison on two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.
Montgomery County prosecutor Jesse King says Perkins' crimes have had an everlasting impact on his victims.
"Every single person stressed two things: the fact that their belongings are irreplaceable, and that their security was compromised and they no longer feel safe in their homes. Most of them got security systems (and) they have trouble sleeping."
One homeowner told the judge it was like being punched in the stomach.
Prosecutors say Wilson went into the homes and stole jewelry, which was pawned at a shop on Rising Sun Avenue in Philadelphia. The owner of that shop was sentenced to ten years' probation.
Wilson's case is still going through the court system.
