AUBURN — A Lewiston man who last summer wrenched the pocketbook from the arms of a wheelchair-bound woman and snatched the purse from the walker of another woman asked a judge Thursday to put him in prison long enough to be rehabilitated.

The judge complied.

Daryl Scott Roberts, 27, told an Androscoggin County Superior Court judge at his sentencing that he should go to prison where he can enroll in a drug-treatment program.

“I do need prison time … to help sober me up,” he said. “I feel so bad … there’s no excuse for what I did.”

Roberts told Justice Donald Marden that his addiction to crack cocaine compelled him to steal from the two elderly women in August.

“I just needed a quick fix,” he said. “That’s all I cared about, was getting my next high.”

The wheelchair-bound victim, Helen Scribner, was reluctant to come to court for Roberts’ sentencing Thursday because she still fears him, Assistant District Attorney Josh Robbins said.

“I would tell her I’m deeply sorry,” Roberts said.

Robbins said the confrontation injured Scribner’s arm and broke a fingernail.

The following day, Roberts sneaked through a garage into an elderly housing building on Oak Street in Lewiston and snatched the wallet from a shelf on the walker of 80-year-old Edith Ryder.

Robbins said Roberts spent $40 in cash from Ryder’s wallet and made $107 in purchases with her debit card.

From Scribner’s purse, Roberts spent $20 in cash and made a $106 withdrawal from her credit union.

On the robbery charge involving Scribner, Justice Marden sentenced Roberts to 20 years in prison with all but four years suspended, plus six years of probation. Roberts also pleaded guilty to a count of burglary stemming from the theft of Ryder’s wallet. Marden sentenced him to four years on that charge, to be served at the same time as the robbery sentence. Roberts was sentenced on other charges, including theft and misuse of identification, adding a year and two months to the other prison time, all to be served at the same time.

He also was ordered to pay full restitution to the two women.

Police said a city worker found some of the personal contents of Ryder’s wallet. The story of the theft had been covered by the Sun Journal and sparked an outpouring of support, including strangers sending her checks, one for $100.

Marden said he expected Roberts to kick his drug habit while in prison, just as Roberts’ brother did when he served time five years ago. David Roberts spoke at his brother’s sentencing Thursday, saying he also had a serious drug problem.

“The best thing that happened to me is that I went to jail,” he said.

Justice Marden said the citizens of the community have a right to be safe on city streets and should not have to worry about being violently robbed.

But, Marden said, he was impressed by Roberts’ willingness to take responsibility for his crimes.

“Mr. Roberts, I’m taking you at face value because I believe you,” Marden said. “I want you to know that I wish you luck.”