A Fernley man who stole $3,000 worth of collectible figurines from Longs Drug Store in Carson City will serve at least one year in prison and pay restitution, Judge Michael Griffin ordered on Monday.
Robert James Bezak, 44, has a long history of theft-related arrests, said Deputy District Attorney Anne Langer, the prosecutor in the case.
"We believe that he is not a person who should be on probation," she said.
Bezak was arrested Dec. 3 for breaking into a glass case Nov. 29 at the store and taking the figurines. He is suspected of a similar crime at a Longs Drug Store in Reno.
Public defender Karin Lindsay argued for a lighter sentence, saying that Bezak's lengthy addiction to drugs explains his behavior.
"He has had a drug problem and because of this drug problem, he has been unstable," she said.
Reading from a prepared statement, Bezak said "I've got a disease called addiction to a drug called heroin."
Bezak was given 96 days credit for time served.