A Denver man told a Lancaster County Judge Tuesday that his drug addiction led to a "nasty downward spiral" of robbery, theft and high-speed flights from police.

Eric Lee Singley, 32, admitted to a multicounty crime spree in 2007 that included nine robberies, forgery offenses and three high-speed chases as he tried to elude police.

Prosecutors said Singley committed the crimes in Lancaster, Berks and Schuylkill counties during a two-week period in August 2007.

While pleading guilty to the offenses, Singley told Judge Joseph C. Madenspacher that addictions to heroin and cocaine caused the crime spree. Singley said he fell back into old habits after being kicked out of a rehabilitation program in the summer of 2007.

"I just kinda said screw it, and one thing led to another," Singley told the judge. "It was a nasty downward spiral. I was causing a lot of harm to a lot of people."

Madenspacher accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence Singley after a background check is completed within two months.

The judge told Singley he faces a maximum sentence of 211 years in state prison for 22 felonies and misdemeanors.

"I could basically keep you in prison for the rest of your life," Madenspacher told Singley, a married father. "You're going to be hammered. That's a fact."

The judge, however, told Singley his list of heinous crimes didn't match the behavior he displayed during the hearing.

As Singley's wife, son, parents and grandparents watched from the gallery, the defendant answered questions with, "Yes, your honor," and, "I understand, your honor."

"I'm looking at you and listening to you, and I can't believe it's the same person" that committed the crimes, Madenspacher said.

Assistant District Attorney Todd Brown recited the long list of charges filed by at least eight police departments from three counties.

Singley robbed video stores, restaurants and even a pet store and discount clothing shop. Witnesses said he displayed a weapon during at least three robberies. In most cases, Singley gave threatening notes to employees, Brown said.

Brown outlined this list of robbery locations, Singley's methods of operation, and the amount taken:

• Supercuts in Manheim Township, using a note, $378.

• Movie Gallery in Ephrata Borough, knife, $160.

• Pet Value in Ephrata Borough, knife, $222.

• Subway in Ephrata Borough, note, $166.

• Renningers market stand in Schuylkill County, note, unknown.

• Blockbuster Video in Schuylkill County, note, $242.

• Dairy Queen in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, note, $200.

• Movie Gallery in Exeter Township, Berks County, note, $314.

• Ross Dress for Less in Berks County, verbally threatened he had a weapon, $118.

Singley also led police on high-speed chases twice in Ephrata Township and once in East Cocalico Township, Brown said. Also, Brown said, Singley forged a pair of checks in East Lampeter and Manheim townships.

Singley told the judge he has battled heroin and cocaine addictions for half of his life.

Prior to the crimes, Singley said, he enrolled in a rehab program through the Salvation Army.

"Things just seemed better. I finally got what I always wanted," Singley recalled, as his relatives wept in the back of the courtroom.

Singley was ejected from the program for bringing a cell phone one day, he told the judge.

Realizing that was a violation of his probation, Singley again turned to drugs.

"When I left the program, I didn't even have (cravings)," Singley said. "It was the first time in my life I had to force myself to do the drug."

At the end of Tuesday's hearing, Madenspacher told Singley his freedom hangs in the balance.

"There's no pleasure for me in locking up someone for the rest of their life," Madenspacher told the defendant. "I want to hear a good presentation at sentencing."

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com