Burglar of popular restaurants and bars given a minimum of 28 years in prison

A career criminal who tunneled through walls of homes to steal cash, food, liquor and computers from businesses throughout Manhattan has been sentenced to 28 to 56 years in prison, the Manhattan District Attorney announced yesterday.

Shawn McAleese, 43, of Manhattan, broke into at least eight residential buildings in Hell's Kitchen, the Flatiron, Murray Hill, Central Harlem and the Upper East Side between May 3 and June 30 this year, using the residences as "launch pads" to gain access to adjacent businesses - mostly restaurants, bars and lounges. Court papers say he nabbed $11,200 from the Bareburger in Chelsea, a computer and three bottles of liquor from 1497 Third Ave, where there is a Chipotle, and numerous computers, bottles of Saki and two racks of ribs from Kyotofu at 705 Ninth Ave. Molloy's Irish Pub (cq) at 737 Ninth Ave. was sacked of $4,000, a printer, liquor and a sports bag.

McAleese, who has served numerous prison stints on previous burglary convictions, pled guilty to eight counts of third degree burglary on Aug. 27. His attorney told DNAInfo at the time his client was a "very sweet man" who regreted his crimes but whose addiction to drugs compelled him to steal.

"Theft from a business doesn't just end at the cash register - it jeopardizes the job security of those who work there because it affects the bottom line," said Manhattan DA Cy Vance.