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Burglar Sentenced to Nearly 12 Years In Prison for Stealing $41,000 In 14 Break-Ins

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A 43-year-old burglar who stole more than $41,000 worth of property in 14 break-ins was sentenced Thursday to 11 years and eight months in federal prison.

Samuel Lono Zeller pleaded guilty to 14 counts of first-degree residential burglary, three counts of theft of a firearm, and a count of the unlawful taking of a vehicle – all felonies.

Deputy District Attorney Anna McIntre argued for an 18-year prison term, but Superior Court Judge Robert Fitzgerald offered a plea bargain which Zoller accepted.

"I believe the sentence should have been harsher for what he did," McIntire said, noting the high number of burglaries over a three-year period and the fact that he had a prior strike for residential burglary.

Zoller broke into 14 homes from December 2007 through April of last year, targeting residences near Bowles Avenue in Garden Grove.

He has credit for 600 days of time served in Orange County jail, McIntire said.

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