A man officials believe was responsible for numerous “smash and grab” and other thefts blamed his drug addiction for the thefts, and could soon be sentenced to a prisoner treatment program.

Jarrett Crockett Hendrix’es lawyer said the defendant was living in a fog of methamphetamine and pot, using up to an “8-ball” a day of meth, and that stealing was the only way he could get drugs.

Hendrix pleaded guilty to one class-d felony count of stealing in April, in connection with an incident February 24th. Court documents say he entered a store on South 40th Street in St. Joseph, selected about $1,100 in merchandise and left as employees were chasing behind him.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Bachman said officials believe Crockett was responsible for recent thefts at Gordman’s, Roth’s, Dollar General, Rally House, CVS Pharmacy and The Fort.

Hendrix said “I’ve done it the past and will continue doing it,” and blamed his addiction. He asked the judge for a chance for to get off drugs. Hendrix has been incarcerated in the county jail for several weeks for other crimes. Judge Daniel Kellogg continued the sentencing hearing until June 26, which he said would give the defendant six or seven months of clean time. There is a bed opening up in July in a Department of Corrections alternative treatment program.

If all goes as planned, Hendrix will receive a suspended sentence with 120 days of shock time, including possible entry into the treatment program. Judge Kellogg would retain jurisdiction, and could eventually grant probation in the case.

On its Web site, the Department of Corrections estimates that 83% percent of offenders were engaged in substance abuse in the twelve months prior to their incarceration.