Burglar sentenced to 10 years for spree

"A man convicted in a string of north Bainbridge home burglaries this summer received the highest possible sentence – nearly 10 years in a state prison – in Kitsap County Superior Court Monday.James Gerard Rode, 33, acknowledged and apologized for his crimes before visiting Judge Teri Sheldon handed down the nine-year, eight-month sentence.“He appreciated the impacts his burglaries have had on other people,” Tim Kelly, Rode’s attorney, said.“He told the judge he wanted to make it very clear to all the victims that he was very sorry for what he did, and that he’s got a drug and alcohol problem that was the impetus for his crimes.”Rode was given the top end of the standard sentencing range – 87 to 116 months – for the five counts of felony residential burglary and the one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm to which he pleaded guilty Sept. 21.Under the terms of his plea agreement, Rode won’t be charged with any of about a dozen other north-end burglaries this summer to which Bainbridge Police say he could be connected. He was transported to the state prison in Shelton Monday afternoon to begin serving his time.The sentencing provided closure for several of Rode’s victims.“I am not bitter at all,” said islander Jim Martine, whose Harvey Road residence was among several hit by Rode the day he was arrested, Aug. 5.“I couldn’t believe the feelings I had knowing that he had come into my house, but now that I see how well the system works, I’m impressed,” Martine said.“This is a success story for the Bainbridge Island Police Department.”"

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