One victim fled to a hotel after the break-ins while another lost about $25,000 in belongings
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, PA – A Manheim Township woman who slipped into homes and vehicles during a two-week overnight burglary spree — including one house where the residents were asleep — has been sentenced to three to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to a string of crimes that left one victim so shaken they moved into a hotel.
Nicole Abraham-Ortiz, 36, of the 200 block of Derbyshire Drive, was sentenced by Judge Jeffery Conrad after pleading guilty July 15, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
Her convictions included three counts of burglary, aggravated assault, three counts of theft by unlawful taking, two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and multiple counts of loitering and prowling at nighttime and criminal mischief.
Sleeping residents targeted during overnight break-ins
The crimes occurred during a roughly two-week period in late February and early March 2025, with several taking place within 700 yards of Abraham-Ortiz’s home.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Lingousky told the court that the victims were selected randomly and did not know Abraham-Ortiz.
One victim was asleep inside a home in the 500 block of Cobblestone Lane when Abraham-Ortiz entered overnight and stole more than $8,000 worth of property, according to prosecutors.
The haul included dinner plates, a coffee maker, boots, debit cards, car keys, headphones, cameras and other electronics.
An interior camera recorded Abraham-Ortiz removing property until she noticed the camera and took it too, prosecutors said.
Diapers that investigators said Abraham-Ortiz left behind were later discovered inside the residence.
Homeowner wakes to intruder in garage
Days later, noises awakened a resident in the 1500 block of Clearview Avenue.
The resident investigated and discovered Abraham-Ortiz inside the garage, according to prosecutors.
She attempted to leave in a vehicle after being confronted but was soon stopped by police.
Abraham-Ortiz refused to get out of the vehicle and kicked an officer in the chest while officers were forcibly removing her, prosecutors said.
Another resident returned to a home in the 200 block of Elizabeth Drive and discovered approximately $25,000 in belongings missing.
Purses, wallets, jewelry, cameras and hearing aids were among the property taken.
Prosecutors said Abraham-Ortiz also entered vehicles on Cobblestone Lane and Haskell Drive, taking items including key rings, an empty prescription bottle and a dog collar ID.
At least one engagement ring belonging to a victim was pawned.
Victim left home for hotel after crimes
Lingousky told the court that one victim was so disturbed by the crimes that they left their residence and began staying at a hotel.
Before imposing the three-to-six-year prison sentence, Conrad described burglary as one of society’s most offensive crimes because it violates the security of a person’s home.
An attorney representing Abraham-Ortiz told the court that drug use and untreated mental health issues contributed to her behavior, pointing to the seemingly random nature of some of the stolen property, including garden shears taken from a garage.
Manheim Township Police Officers Anthony Lombardo and Duane Oleszcuk filed the charges.
Key Points
- Nicole Abraham-Ortiz, 36, was sentenced to three to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to burglaries, thefts, aggravated assault and other offenses.
- Prosecutors said she entered homes and vehicles overnight during a two-week period, including a residence where the occupants were sleeping.
- One home lost more than $8,000 in property, another lost about $25,000 in belongings, and one victim became so disturbed that they moved into a hotel.
