A Waltham man with a criminal record dating back to 1987 was sentenced to 20 years in state prison today for a multi-victim crime spree that started at a South Bay hotel and ended in Upham’s Corner last fall, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced.

RICARDO FELICIANO, Jr. (D.O.B. 5/19/70), pleaded guilty to armed robbery, robbery of a person over 60, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm for his actions on the evening of Oct. 21, 2008.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Fahey sentenced Feliciano to a term of 18 to 20 years in state prison followed by 10 years of probation. During that probationary term, Fahey ordered, Feliciano is to stay away from the victims and their families, undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations, take part in any treatment deemed necessary, abstain from illicit drugs and be monitored for their use, and seek full-time employment.

If he does not abide by those terms, Conley said, Feliciano could return to state prison for a decade or more.

“Given the nature and pace of these offenses, the number of victims, and the efforts throughout to evade police at the risk of civilian injuries, this is an appropriately strong sentence,” Conley said.

Feliciano admitted to stealing a retired Ohio police officer’s Dodge Caravan shortly before 7:20 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel at South Bay. Inside the vehicle was the 62-year-old victim’s licensed and loaded 9mm firearm in a gym bag. When the victim – who initially thought Feliciano was a valet – realized what was happening, he grabbed the door but fell to the ground as Feliciano sped off.

Feliciano crashed the Caravan a short distance away, grabbed the firearm, and fled on foot, stopping at a Dorchester Avenue residence and knocking on the doors and windows.

When the resident answered the door, Feliciano said he was a truck driver and asked her to move her car from her driveway so he could turn his truck around. The occupant directed him to her back door. Once there, Feliciano showed the stolen gun, demanded the keys to the woman’s Jeep Liberty, and threatened to take her 12-year-old daughter, who was also present.

The woman gave Feliciano the keys and he fled in the Jeep. Ten minutes later, as Boston Police sirens closed in on him in the area of Upham’s Corner, Feliciano crashed once again and bolted from the vehicle on foot.

Boston Police apprehended him moments later as he cried, “I don’t have the gun!”

Officers canvassed the area and his path of flight and soon recovered the stolen gun. Officers brought victims from the hotel and Dorchester Avenue residence to the scene, where they positively identified Feliciano. At booking, Feliciano made statements indicating that he had been on a cocaine binge and had recently broken up with his girlfriend.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Zanini prosecuted the case. Feliciano was represented by attorney Laurence Kelley.