Two of three men arrested last year for a string of crimes in Kitts Hill pleaded guilty to their misdeeds Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Burnal Aldridge, 29, of 1923 S. Fourth St., Ironton, told Judge Charles Cooper he was guilty of two counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, two counts of breaking and entering, three counts of theft and one count of criminal damaging.

Cooper sentenced Aldridge to nine years in prison.

One of his alleged cohorts, Willis C. Cochran III, 22, of 425 Township Road 336, Ironton, pleaded guilty to two counts of complicity to burglary. Cooper sentenced him to a total of four years in prison If Cochran stays out of trouble while he is behind bars, he may be eligible for judicial release after six months.

Cochran’s attorney, Warren Morford, said the string of crimes that is sending his client to prison was the result of association with the wrong people at the wrong time.

“My client smoked some pot and had a ride through the countryside when Mr. Aldridge got out and decided to rob some people,” Morford said. “My client regrets the act. He’s sorry for what has happened and wants to put this behind him.”

Cochran told Cooper when he found out what Aldridge did, he ordered him out of his car.

“I wish I could go back in time,” Cochran said.

Aldridge made no comment during his appearance in court.

The third man, Larry Delawder, 24, of 909 1/2 Rear N. Second St., Ironton, is scheduled for a pretrial conference this week. He faces one count of attempt to commit burglary.

All three men were arrested in late November after a string of robberies break-ins along or near County Road 5 in Kitts Hill.

Two victims told authorities the men broke in on them while they were at home.

Other nearby residents said their cars or outbuildings were entered or that someone had tried to get into their homes but were unsucessful.