When police visited John Dene Ranapia to question him about a burglary, he owned up to another seven.
Before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court recently, the 17-year-old pleaded guilty to eight charges of burglary, wilful damage, theft and breach of community detention.
Between October 23, 2013 and June 23 this year Ranapia committed the burglaries in Masterton and Featherston, stealing mainly copper hot-water cylinders and foodstuffs from residential homes.
He also burgled the Featherston Community Store, stealing food on November 13.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said many of the burglaries would have remained unresolved had it not been for admissions Ranapia made to police when being interviewed about a Featherston burglary.
