A 42-year-old man was remanded into custody this morning after admitting a “tsunami of crime” in Warwick and Southampton.

Anthony Richardson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to ten counts of burglary along with escaping lawful custody and possessing a screwdriver for the purposes of committing burglary.

Prosecutor Cindy Clarke asked for a further six counts, which were not detailed, to be taken into consideration.

The court heard that the first of the incidents happened on September 5 in Southampton, where Richardson stole a number of power tools worth more than $7,000 from a steel job box. When arrested, Richardson admitted the offence and directed officers to where they could find the key to the box along with one of the tools.

He said that he had given the rest of the tools to a man to pay off a drug debt.

The next incident took place on September 13 at a Riviera Road home, where Richardson stole $520 of fish and lobster after entering through a window. Over the course of the next two weeks, Richardson raided homes on Lighthouse Road, Spice Hill Road, St Anne’s Road and Gibb’s Hill, stealing a host of electronics items and jewellery worth thousands of dollars.

All of the burglaries took place while the homeowners were out, with Richardson usually entering through windows and doors using a screwdriver.

On September 23, officers on mobile patrol received a report of a burglary in progress in Southampton. An officer attended the area and spotted Richardson in the area on a pedal bike carrying a bag. The officer chased Richardson, who rode down a set of stairs, and was able to grab him from behind. In the ensuing scuffle, Richardson threw the bag at the officer and charged at him, causing the officer to use his Taser.

The court heard that when shot with the Taser, Richardson fell onto a handrail which broke, causing both he and the officer to fall into a garden. Richardson then fled on foot, leaving the bike and the bag behind.

Richardson was later caught and, when questioned, admitted committing a number of the burglaries, telling officers how he broke into the various properties and what items he stole. He also admitted being involved in the altercation with the police.

The court also heard that Richardson had no previous offences, causing Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo to remark: “So he thought he would rack up a big record at one time. A tsunami of crime.”

Mr Tokunbo ordered reports be carried out on Richardson, remanding him into custody until November 18 when he is expected to return to the court for sentencing.

A police spokesman noted Richardson’s guilty pleas this afternoon, saying: “The arrest of the 42-year-old man is a result of a targeted investigation centred around the neighbourhood affected by recent series of break ins. The Bermuda Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance, as we know that personal and invasive nature of burglaries.”