Christine Houston, 58, of Edgartown will serve two years in a house of correction for breaking into Edgartown homes to steal prescription pills, jewelry, electronics, and other items. First Justice H. Gregory Williams of Edgartown District Court sentenced Ms. Houston Tuesday, as part of a plea agreement.
Police arrested Ms. Houston on November 20, 2010. The court charged her with nine cases of breaking into houses in the downtown area.
Judge Williams also ordered four-years of probation after Ms. Houston finishes her sentence. She must make restitution to the victims of the crimes, in the amount of approximately $60,000. At Ms. Houston’s request, Judge Williams recommended that she serve her sentence at the Framingham House of Correction.
Much of the stolen property recovered was returned to its owners, but police believe several expensive items were sold in Boston.
Last fall, a homeowner and a caretaker separately reported they encountered a woman in downtown houses and gave police a description. Sgt. Jonathan Searle recognized the description as fitting a woman he had seen walking in the Summer Street area where several homeowners reported thefts.
Ms. Houston worked as a cook and custodian at The Anchors, the Council on Aging senior center in Edgartown until 2008.