A New London judge told career criminal Andrew Kendzierski he has to change his "shtick" as she sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison for violation of probation and fifth-degree larceny.

"It's not working for you," Judge Susan B. Handy said to Kendzierski, 53, who was crying about his latest conviction.

Kendzierski had been arrested in August, just five months after he completed a 5 1/2 year prison stint for burglarizing and torching an 18th century farmhouse in Stonington. State police said he stole a portable generator and other tools from an unoccupied home on Middle Road in Preston.

On Tuesday, Kendzierski pleaded guilty to fifth-degree larceny and admitted to violating the conditions of his probation. He pleaded under the Alford Doctrine, meaning he doesn't agree with the state's allegations but does not want to risk going to trial, where he could face a harsher sentence if convicted.

Kendzierski, who has a lengthy criminal record, apologized to the judge and prosecutor Lawrence J. Tytla and said he has "a stupid habit of trusting the wrong people." The judge told Kendzierski he has a habit of blaming others for his actions and that he needs to change.

Kendzierski's passenger that day was William S. Madore, 36, of Norwich. Madore pleaded guilty last month to fifth-degree larceny and was sentenced to 100 days in prison.