Burglar pleads guilty
A history of mental health issues led to the postponement of sentencing Tuesday for a Hagerstown man accused in a series of burglaries earlier this year.
Thomas Edward Collins pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree burglary in Washington County Circuit Court.
Conviction on a third-degree burglary charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Assistant Washington County State's Attorney Duane Gigeous stressed that the prosecution would seek restitution on all counts, not just the two to which Collins entered guilty pleas.
Defense attorney Mary Riley said Collins, 23, spent eight years at Cedar Ridge Children's Home and was associated with The Turning Point.
When he needed money because of a baby on the way, Collins went on a crime spree, Riley said.
The two counts included a Jan. 4 burglary of a home in the 500 block of Liberty Street from which Collins took Nintendo games and movie videos after getting in through an unlocked basement door.
