A slippery criminal with a penchant for escaping from authorities was convicted yesterday in the first of 18 trials scheduled in connection with a crime spree five years ago in the city and suburbs.

Eric Miskovitch, 28, of Springdale, was sentenced yesterday to 5 to 10 years in prison.

His remaining cases, all before Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman, still are pending trial.

Mr. Miskovitch evaded police for six days in the late summer of 2004. He had been the prime suspect in the wide-spread crime spree.

More than a dozen law enforcement agencies had been tracking Mr. Miskovitch before he was caught on the night of Aug. 5 after he crashed a stolen motorcycle in Fox Chapel.

The charges stem from incidents in several communities, including Tarentum, Shaler, Monroeville, Fawn, Allegheny Township and Downtown Pittsburgh.

The police pursuit included high-speed chases through some communities.

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