A Columbia man will serve up to 30 years in prison for a spree of armed robberies at stores over the Christmas holiday last year.

Brian Conrad Jr. targeted gas stations and stores in eight Lancaster County municipalities, taking cash and cigarettes – and even donation jars from some counters.

Conrad showed a handgun that he often had stashed in a waistband to store clerks during the spree from Dec. 21 to 29, which included a Christmas Day hold-up at a Turkey Hill in Brownstown.

Conrad, 38, robbed four other Turkey Hill stores, two Dollar Generals, and a Speedway. He also burglarized a Manheim Township home during the spree, taking a handgun from inside.

Several investigators watched Lancaster County Judge Donald Totaro sentence Conrad to 15 to 30 years in prison. Judge Totaro mentioned Conrad’s lengthy criminal history (which dates back to 2000).

Conrad pleaded guilty to numerous counts of felony robbery, burglary, and related theft charges in exchange for the prison term. Assistant District Attorney Barry Goldman arranged the plea agreement.

Conrad is facing additional punishment regarding state parole violations on the convictions, according to ADA Goldman.

Police from the following departments investigated and filed charges:

Pennsylvania State Police, West Earl Township, West Hempfield Township, Manheim Township, East Lampeter Township, East Hempfield Township, Mount Joy Borough, Northwest Regional, Pequea Township.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright