Yellowknife (Nov 24/04) - A crack addict who broke into five Yellowknife businesses and was responsible for more than $30,000 in damage and losses was sentenced to three years in prison.

Shane Elanik, 28, pleaded guilty to 10 charges in Supreme Court, Thursday, including five for break and enter, two for fraud, two breaches of probation and one count of theft.

Elanik has a lengthy criminal record with several property-related convictions. He committed the most recent burglaries to support a crack-cocaine habit, said defence lawyer James Mahon.

"This was a serious crime spree that escalated over two weeks," said Justice Ted Richard, who handed down the 36-month sentence Friday. "This is yet another individual whose life has been ruined by crack cocaine,"

Elanik was arrested Sept. 1, 2004, after a string of break and enters in the Kam Lake and Range Lake areas. Police linked him to burglaries at the Multiplex, city garage, a non-profit society's office, a Wildlife and Fisheries office, and a restaurant -- where nearly $10,000 in cash was stolen.

Three of those burglaries were committed Aug. 30.

He also admitted to stealing cheques from the Healing Drum Society, and a trying to pass them off as his own.

Richard recommended Elanik serve his time at the North Slave Correctional Centre, as opposed to a southern penitentiary, though the final decision rests with corrections officials.