A.V. BURGLARY RING SMASHED, DEPUTIES SAY.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

Detectives recovered hundreds of dollars in stolen merchandise as they shut down a burglary ring which for three months preyed on local businesses, sheriff's officials said Wednesday.

Palmdale residents Chris Emerson, 21; Karin Stahl, no age available; Kenneth Lewis, 36; and Kimberly Langer, 24, were arrested earlier this month in connection with at least 13 burglaries. Emerson has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 18 months in prison, officials said.

``They were taking anything they could get their hands on,'' Deputy Dave Miklos said. ``They were exploiting places that had some weaknesses. They exploited them and went to town.''

Officials said the two couples had committed the burglaries from March to April to support their drug habits.

Items stolen included a cash register, candy and a public-address system taken from the Palmdale Little League; camera equipment from the Palmdale Water District; lighting fixtures from Antelope Valley Dental Care Center; and tools from several car repair facilities.

The group is being linked to break-ins at Potter's House Christian Church, Affordable Tire, High Desert Carburetor, White's Surplus Stores, Triple A Saw and B-2 Market.

``Some businesses were hit more than once,'' Miklos said.

Detective Dave Bower said the Palmdale sheriff's station learned of the burglary ring through an informant's tip, then served a search warrant at the home shared by Emerson and Stahl, near 9th Street East and Avenue Q.

``They end up finding a lot of different property,'' Miklos said.