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President Judge Richard J. Hodgson ordered the sentence to run consecutively to a 13- to 26-year state sentence Myers is already serving from Chester County in connection with a June 30, 2005, incident during which he escaped from a county constable, who was transporting him to a court hearing, and led police on a high-speed chase before being apprehended in Lower Merion. During that incident, Myers stole a gun from one of the constables, shot several rounds and carjacked a nearby motorist, according to court documents.

The combined sentence means Myers will spend a minimum of 19 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

"These are without question serious and violent crimes," said Hodgson, referring to the robberies and burglaries. He said Myers not only took money, but he stole a sense of security from the merchants he targeted. "This is something they will never get back again."

Testimony revealed Myers embarked on the crime spree in order to support his addiction to the prescription painkiller OxyContin. Myers, a former tree climber for a landscaping company, testified he became addicted to the drug after undergoing surgery for a work-related shoulder injury.

"It’s an expensive habit, $40 a pill," Myers testified, adding he was spending $800 a day at the height of his addiction. "I was broke. I was going to do whatever it took to pay for my addiction."

Myers, who was supported in court by his parents and several friends, apologized for his conduct. His supporters testified Myers’ was a good person prior to his drug addiction.

"I made mistakes. I’m not going to deny that. I know I hurt a lot of people. I want a second chance," Myers told the judge.

Assistant District Attorney Andrea Grace argued for a lengthy state prison sentence against Myers and asked that the punishment be consecutive to the Chester County sentence.

"We’re not talking about one or two isolated incidents," said Grace, arguing the crimes occurred over and over again. "It wasn’t a need. It was a choice each and every time he went into a business."

Authorities said Myers stole everything from pills to antique war memorabilia -- things he could sell to get money to get drugs -- during the crime spree. The judge ordered more than $146,000 in restitution to the victims.

Defense lawyer Thomas C. Egan III said Myers is remorseful and that he lived a good, hardworking life prior to becoming addicted to painkillers.

"When he ends up having surgery, his life turns upside down. He ends up addicted to OxyContins. His body and his mind didn’t have the capacity to beat this new addiction," Egan said.

Testimony revealed Myers did attempt to get help for his addiction in March of 2005, when he checked into a drug rehabilitation facility; however, after 10 days Myers’ insurance company cut his coverage for the treatment.

"Our insurance companies in their infinite wisdom cut him short," said Egan, implying the crime spree may not have occurred had Myers been able to continue with treatment.

Egan said Myers is not evil but that his mindset was driven by the addiction.

Myers, according to court papers, was developed as a suspect in a rash of robberies and burglaries that occurred between May 15 and June 8 of 2005. Authorities said Myers wore a hooded sweatshirt, gloves, distinctive white sneakers and a covering over his nose and mouth during the crimes. Myers also often wielded a claw hammer during the robberies at various retail establishments, including pharmacies, jewelry stores and department stores, prosecutors said.

Some witnesses described Myers as looking like the "Unabomber," according to court papers.

During some of the incidents, Myers allegedly leapt over store counters and threatened pharmacy clerks or smashed store display cases.

May 15 burglary at The Bon-Ton on South West End Boulevard, Richland Township, Bucks County, where he stole $22,940 in jewelry.

May 19 and 22 burglaries at Kmart on North West End Boulevard, Quakertown, Bucks County, where he stole jewelry valued at $35,505.

May 24 and June 1 burglaries at Kmart on Nutt Road, Phoenixville, where he stole jewelry valued at $32,385.

May 27 burglary at Kmart on DeKalb Pike, East Norriton, where he stole jewelry valued at $20,019.

May 31 burglary at J. Henry Jewelers on Valley Forge Road in Upper Gwynedd where he stole watches valued at more than $6,300.

June 1 burglary at Dublin Jewelers on North Broad Street, Hatfield Township, where he stole a total of $3,450 worth of war memorabilia and gold fill jewelry.

June 2 burglary at French Creek Outfitters on Schuylkill Road in East Pikeland, where he got away with nothing, but damage was estimated at $530.

June 5 robbery at the CVS store on South West End Boulevard in Richland, where he made off with prescription drugs valued at $4,413.

June 8 robbery at the Eckerd store on North Broad Street, Hatfield, which was unsuccessful.

June 8 robbery at the CVS pharmacy on Horsham Road in Horsham where he made off with $10,719 worth of prescription drugs.

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