The man accused of burglarizing about 70 businesses around South Jersey over a few years will remain in jail while the case is being heard, a judge in Camden ruled Friday.
Dennis Niceler appeared before Judge Kevin McBride for his detention hearing, with public defender Meg Butler representing him.
He walked on crutches and had his right foot in a protective boot after injuring the foot when police found him during an alleged burglary attempt on Christmas Eve.
Assistant prosecutor Victoria Shilton argued that Niceler should be held in jail before his next court date because at his current age of 56, charges on the 16 burglaries he is accused of in Camden County alone could equate to a life sentence.
McBride noted that Niceler faced 3 to 5 years for each one.
Butler said Niceler would not likely flee the jurisdiction as he is seeking medical treatment for his fractured heel. Additionally, prior to being taken in, "he had plenty of time to flee the jurisdiction and he did not," she said.
"The fact that he has not fled, I find, is more attributable to his lack of mobility," McBride said.
He said that it was "indeed not a run of the mill case" for him to hear, given the high number of alleged offenses.
On Monday, Evesham Township Police said Niceler was the suspect in burglaries at three local businesses: the restaurant Mikado, the Mexican Food Factory and the Links Country Club.
Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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