Woman Admits To Breaking Into And Stealing From 30 Homes

Rose Santos -- -- admitted to committing 30 burglaries Tuesday in Lake County Court of Common Pleas.

Santos, 49, of Painesville, broke into 30 homes between June and September 2011. She and her codefendants would steal jewelry from houses in Lake and Ashtabula County, including seven in Mentor.

Then they would sell the jewelry and use the money to buy heroin, Lake County Assistant Prosecutor Rocco DiPierro said.

Santos has since admitted to her role in the burglaries and provided information that led to the convictions of her codefendants, Bradley Rosier, Robert Nelson and Rodney Williams.

Santos will be sentenced by Judge Vincent Culotta June 4. Because of her during the investigation, DiPierro said the Prosecutors Office will recommend that she not be sent to prison for more than 22 years, even though the judge can send her to prison for as long as 240 years if he sees fit.

All of Santos' codefendants have confessed to roles in the burglary ring, as well.

Rosier, 24, of Geneva, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of criminal behavior, 11 counts of burglary and seven counts of receiving stolen property.

He's scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in Judge Eugene Lucci's court.

Williams, 33, of Madison, pleaded guilty to burglary and complicity to burglary. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison by Judge Joseph Gibson.

Finally, Nelson, 30, of Madison, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and will be sentenced Monday in Judge Richard Collins' court.

Santos, Willams and Nelson .

Police had staked out Stockbridge Road because of previous break-ins in the neighborhood, police said.

When another break-in happened, police stopped a Buick LeSabre with Nelson and Williams in it. They also stopped Santos, who was walking on foot nearby.

Police found jewelry that had been taken from the house on Santos and in the LeSabre, police said.

Police arrested Rosier soon thereafter.