"Sorry I stole your panties" says Judge Robert Cicale

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EAST ISLIP, Long Island, New York (WABC) --

A Long Island judge who police say repeatedly broke into his neighbor's home to steal her underwear has confessed to snatching panties on multiple occasions, even though he has pleaded not guilty.

Still, Suffolk County District Judge Robert Cicale has been removed from the bench and is facing up to 15 years in prison.
Cicale was arrested on burglary charges and appeared in court Friday morning.

The judge is a married father of three young children, and he is accused of sneaking into a home across the street and stealing the underwear of a 23-year-old woman who lives there with her parents.

In his confession, he said he stole the underwear upon feeling "urges."
He admitted that on several occasions, he entered the home, opened her hamper and took underwear.

Cicale was ordered held on $50,000. Cicale was "temporarily relieved of his judicial duties" ...
A judge also issued a restraining order that prevents Cicale from contacting the victim and, as a condition of his bail, Cicale will also be required to wear a GPS monitor, Sini said.

Neighbors were shocked when they learned of the judge's arrest.
"From what I heard, it's a little perverted maybe," neighbor William Bloom said.