COVINGTON, Ky. -- The man local police dubbed "the shirt mask bandit" pleaded guilty Wednesday to 16 counts of robbery and one count of being a persistent felony offender.
Steven Edward Thomas, 35, was arrested in September after a string of at least 16 robberies in Northern Kentucky.
Thomas used a T-shirt to cover his face while he robbed convenience stores, eateries and a pet store during the summers of 2015 and 2016.
Prosecutor Rob Sanders will recommend a 24-year prison sentence for Thomas, according to the commonwealth attorney's Facebook page. Because he is considered a violent offender, Thomas will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Thomas' sentencing is set for March 13.
