Man arrested in burglary and copper theft - News - Republican Herald

Man arrested in burglary and copper theft - News - Republican Herald

SAINT CLAIR - A 30-year-old borough man was jailed Tuesday and charged by Saint Clair police with a January burglary at a home at 122-124 W. Hancock St.
Patrolman Frank DiMarco charged Anthony D. Sekula, 313 Cherry St., with one felony offense each of burglary, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking, along with misdemeanor offenses of loitering and prowling at night and criminal trespass.
Police said Sekula will likely be charged in connection with at least 10 other burglaries in the borough but they released no further information Wednesday.
The charges filed Tuesday stem from a burglary at the home of Catherine Cheruka between 2 p.m. Jan. 20 and 2 p.m. Jan. 27.
DiMarco said Gary Glassner reported he was taking care of the home for his mother-in-law while she was sick and recovering and he discovered the burglary.
DiMarco said his investigation determined Sekula entered the home and ripped out copper piping in an upstairs area. Both basements of the home sustained damage to plumbing fixtures as well and both heating units were rendered inoperable.
The heating units and plumbing had to be repaired and damage was estimated at $8,543, DiMarco said.
DiMarco said on Tuesday that Saint Clair police, along with officers from New Castle and East Norwegian townships, executed a search warrant at the 313 Cherry St. home of Sekula and Tiffany Cruz.
The officers discovered tools and parts of heating units matching the description of stolen items from the burglary, DiMarco said.
Sekula gave a written and detailed confession about how he entered the building during the morning hours, removed the copper and destroyed several sinks and bathroom fixtures, DiMarco said.
The man also said he took the copper and other items to a recycler and sold them.
Sekula was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. He will now have to answer to the charges before Plachko in his Port Carbon courtroom.