Unofficially, it is called “car shopping,” and one man’s bad habit of that cost Butler County residents more than $6,200 in three months.

Defendant Nicholas J.R. Oesterling, 31, in county court Friday said he’s sorry for all the “troubles and fears” he caused his victims.

He pleaded guilty in 11 cases: 10 cases of theft and one case of criminal mischief. He was sentenced to 30 to 60 months in state prison followed by 2 years of state probation.

Court records indicate the Jefferson Township man, who had a heroin addiction, stole various items, mainly from unlocked vehicles in Jefferson and Winfield, including four handguns, two rifles and a crossbow.

State police in New Castle arrested Oesterling in January following an undercover gun-selling sting when Oesterling sold two handguns stolen in Butler County to a police informant at a pre-arranged rendezvous in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County.

Already a felon, Oesterling was charged with eight felonies including six counts of illegal gun possession.

On March 11, he pleaded guilty in Lawrence County Court to a lone felony charge of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 2½ to 5 years in state prison.

On top of that time, Oesterling must serve a parole violation before the clock starts on his Butler County sentence. In court, he told Butler County Judge William Shaffer that would be sometime in 2016.

In addition to the prison time, the judge ordered Oesterling to pay restitution to his victims and their insurance companies.