Fifteen Years for "One-Woman Crime Spree"

A woman was sentenced for the burglaries and larcenies of six Ashburn homes in June and July 2008, following a criminal record almost as old as she is. Helene Yvette Seabrook, 45, will spend the next 15 years in prison following her 27-year criminal record. She may face more time as she still has 15 charges pending in Fairfax, Alexandria and in federal courts for burglaries, larcenies, credit card fraud, auto theft and possession of firearms.

Seabrook’s criminal history includes 12 prior convictions in states across the nation, from California to Virginia, with charges varying from burglary to involuntary manslaughter.

Items stolen from the Ashburn burglaries included jewelry, a saxophone, laptops, camcorders, DVD players and other electronic equipment, most of which she tried to pawn. Seabrook must pay at least $8,000 in court-ordered restitution.

“This offender has spent the larger portion of her life victimizing anyone unfortunate enough to fall in her path,” said Loudoun County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman of the sentencing event in Loudoun Circuit Court. “It is hard to believe that it has taken the criminal justice system this long to catch up to her,” he added. “All factors considered, I am gratified we were able to remove her from the community for a significant period of time, and I hope more time will be added by our neighboring jurisdictions,” Plowman stated.