A judge tried teaching a lesson to an Oakland parolee with a lengthy criminal record and a fondness for pricey textbooks by sentencing him to more than three years for a rash of burglaries at the College of San Mateo and Skyline and Foothill colleges.

Laurence Lamont Boone, 41, received a three-year, four-month term for three counts of felony burglary but will not serve the time in prison or be on mandatory supervision upon its completion. Boone must also repay Skyline $431.60 and 14 other victims in amounts still be determined.

Prosecutors pushed for four years — which still would have been served in jail rather than prison — because of his long record and "miserable” probation report, said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Boone has 17 prior theft convictions, 14 of which were felonies, and had been sent to prison eight separate times. He was released from prison on community supervision under the state realignment guidelines but in September burglarized teacher offices at the three community colleges using a pry tool. Boone stole science and math textbooks worth several hundreds dollars each.

College surveillance tapes captured a man later identified as Boone walking in the buildings where the burglaries occurred and later walking with books in hand or a full backpack.

A search of his Oakland residence turned up several textbooks identified by the burglarized teachers and other property linked to other thefts.

 Michelle Durand can be reached by email: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.