Paul Anthony Ewing of Kannapolis was convicted Thursday in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of five counts of felony breaking and/or entering, five counts of felony larceny and misdemeanor larceny.

Judge Anna Mills Wagoner sentenced Ewing to three separate judgments: a minimum of 9 months to a maximum of 20 months in prison; a minimum of 9 months to a maximum of 20 months in prison to be served at the expiration of the first sentence; and a minimum of 9 months to a maximum of 20 months in prison, sentence suspended, and Ewing will be placed on supervised probation for 30 months once he is released from prison. Ewing was ordered to pay restitution, court costs, court appointed attorney fees and remain away from the businesses, among other conditions.

According to a news release from the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office:

On July 19, 2015, Ewing was identified on video surveillance as he committed a larceny at Bingham-Smith Lumber Company. Thereafter, from Feb. 8 until March 15 of this year, Ewing committed several breaking and/or enterings and larcenies involving King Tut Café Hookah Lounge, and The Lucky Turnaround. During the investigation, Ewing stated to officers that he kept breaking into the King Tut Café because he had a drug problem and had built a bar in the business for which he had not been paid.

Ewing had been released from prison in 2014 after serving a sentence for felony robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook stated she appreciated the thorough investigation conducted by the Salisbury Police Department and the China Grove Police Department. Cook stated she appreciated the dedication of Assistant District Attorney Barrett Poppler who ensured Ewing was held accountable for his repeated criminal conduct.