Crime Beat: Thieves Caught, Homes Burglarized

Dirt Bike Stolen

March 13:  An unknown suspect entered the backyard of a home in the 500 block of Compass Road and stole a dirt bike.

Thieves Caught by Business Owners

March 11: Police arrested two men and charged them with fourth-degree burglary after a business owner caught the pair trying to steal an engine from a vehicle on his lot. According to police reports, Jack Pitt, 47, and John Gatch, 42, tried to remove an engine and rims from the vehicle on the lot of Lamp Lighters, located in the 700 block of Stemmers Run Road. The business owner blocked the suspects in the lot with his car before he called police.

Log Splitter Snatched

March 11: An unknown suspect entered a home in the 1400 block of Maple Avenue and stole a log splitter.

A/C Units Taken

March 11: An unknown suspect entered an unoccupied home in the 100 block of Homberg Avenue and stole two air conditioning units.

Copper Pipes Stolen

March 9: Sometime between March 2-9, an unknown suspect entered a vacant home on Transverse Avenue and removed copper pipes, a picnic table and a fence. Total loss: $300.

Washing Machine Burglarized

March 9: Someone removed the door knob to gain entry into a laundry room and removed money from a coin machine attached to a washing machine from a residence in the 1100 block of Glemsford Road. Total loss: $150.

Cash, Jewelry Stolen

March 8: An unknown suspect entered an apartment in the 1100 block of Sandystone Road through a living room window and stole $5,000, a silver diamond bracelet and a watch. Total loss: $11,000

Purse Snatched

March 8: A 47-year-old woman had her purse snatched by an unknown suspect. According to police reports, the victim was approached at about 12:45 a.m. while getting out of her vehicle near the 900 block of Garden Drive. The suspect took her purse that contained $600 and fled in an unknown direction.

Burglars Nabbed in the Act

March 8: Two men and a 16-year-old boy were arrested and charged with first-degree burglary after being caught allegedly stealing copper from a home on Turn Court. Jason L Chavis and Steve L. Smith, along with the boy, were arrested after police witnessed the subjects in the driveway loading copper into a truck.

Scrap Metal Taken

March 7:  Sometime between March 2-7, an unknown person entered the backyard of a home in the 10100 block of Bird River Road and stole up to 1,000 pounds of scrap metal.