Multiple Burglaries Bring Hefty Sentence For Chester County Man

WEST CHESTER, PA — A jury in October found an Avondale man guilty of multiple burglaries in five Chesco townships, and last week he was sentenced to 31-26 years in prison.

Chester County District Judge Jeffrey Sommer sentenced Christopher Hersh, 36, of Avondale, to 26-52 years in prison for multiple counts of burglary and related charges. Hersh also received a sentence of 5-10 years in prison for a probation violation from a prior burglary/robbery case in the Feb. 5 sentencing. In total, the defendant was sentenced to 31-62 years, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

The defendant and two co-conspirators committed five home burglaries in townships around Chester County, including West Fallowfield, West Caln, Kennett, West Marlborough, and New London townships, the D.A.'s report said.

In each instance, a vehicle would back into the home's driveway, where Hersh and another person got out and kicked in the front or back door. They then ransacked the house, stealing cash, jewelry, and electronics that they sold at area pawn shops, the official report said.

The burglaries were committed during the daytime on dates in October and November 2016, according to the district attorney's report. The goods stolen were valued at nearly $35,000, according to the report.

Both co-conspirators in the burglaries have been convicted and sentenced already, the D.A.'s report said.

Pennsylvania State Police, Kennett Township Police, and West Caln Township police handled the investigation. Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Yurick and Jessica Acito prosecuted the case.