Accused burglar pleads guilty

NORWICH – One of the key members of a group responsible for committing a number of burglaries pleaded guilty Monday.

Bret J. Parker, 20, of Norwich, pleaded guilty to one count of third degree burglary and was sentenced to two to six years in state prison. The court also strongly recommended the 20-year-old for Shock, a six-month bootcamp-like prison program.

Parker was arrested following an extensive police investigation into several burglaries that stretched across the county.

Parker was already serving interim probation for a prior charge of third degree burglary last year. In that plea arrangement, Parker was supposed to remain out of trouble for a year and if he had fulfilled the agreement, he would have been eligible to have the prior felony reduced to a misdemeanor.

“Once again, Mr. Parker was given the opportunity to become an honest and productive member of our community and despite his youth, he needs to be removed,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride.