BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man pleaded guilty Monday to almost two dozen felony charges in connection with a string of residential burglaries across Benton County.
Luis Felipe Ruiz Jr., 20, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of residential burglary, a Class B felony; three counts of theft of property, a Class C felony; and six counts of theft of property, a Class D felony. His plea came under an agreement attorney John Baureis reached with Carrie Dobbs, deputy prosecutor.
Ruiz was arrested five times in connection with burglaries. The first arrest was Jan. 1, 2012. The last arrest was Sept. 5, 2012.
Ruiz admitted he stole $1,600 from a home at 11902 Peach Orchard Road in the county Oct. 5, 2011. Ruiz admitted he stole an Xbox 360 and two PlayStation 3 gaming systems from a residence at 3503 N.W. Woodbury Court in Bentonville on Aug. 19, 2011. He admitted he stole property after burglarizing a home at 2405 W. Sunset Drive in Rogers on July 28, 2012.
According to court documents, Ruiz was a suspect in several burglaries in Rogers. When questioned by police, Ruiz confessed involvement in numerous other burglaries in Rogers and in Benton County. Ruiz agreed to ride with authorities and show them what burglaries he was involved in, according to court documents.
Ruiz confessed to stealing $23,699 in items from seven Rogers burglaries, according to court documents.
The majority of Ruiz’s crimes happened in Rogers, but Bentonville police and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office also were involved in the investigation. Ruiz had accomplices in some cases that have not been resolved.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Ruiz’s guilty plea.
Ruiz was sentenced to 25 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must serve at least four years before he will be eligible for parole.
Ruiz must abide by a suspended sentence for 20 years after he leaves prison. Ruiz could be sentenced to up to 305 years in prison if he fails to abide by the suspended-sentence agreement. He must pay $1,870 in court costs and $27,530 in victim restitution.