Police: Thieves steal numerous items from 2 Perry Twp. homes

PERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police are investigating two home burglaries in Perry Township.

Authorities said the thieves broke into two separate houses along Route 201 in Fayette County on Friday afternoon.

According to police, the burglars first broke a window and opened a side door of Greg Giovannelli's house. Giovannelli told Channel 11's Courtney Brennan that he and his wife were out of town visiting their daughter in Virginia during the burglary.

"We got a phone call right after this happened within a couple hours," said Giovannelli.

Police said the thieves stole a safe and assorted gold jewelry. According to Giovannelli, the safe weighed several hundred pounds.

Officials said the suspects then broke into a second home by prying open a window. The burglars stole a television from the home, police said. As the suspects were walking out of the home, an alarm was activated, and they fled the residence, officials said.

Police said the hatch of the thieves' car opened while they were traveling south on Route 201 and many of the stolen items spilled onto the road.

The suspects stopped to retrieve the stolen items, including the safe. According to police, several passing motorists stopped to help the men not knowing the items were stolen.

One of the men who assisted said he was unaware the men he was helping were committing a crime until he heard the one say, "Hey, we got to get out of here," while throwing a large black box into the back of the truck.

The man stated he knew it was too late to stop the men from driving away, but he did contact authorities with a description of the men and the vehicle.

Police said the thieves most likely pawned or sold Giovanelli's jewelry and valuables for drug money.

Officials described the thieves as two white males, about 25 to 30 years old. They both weigh about 160-175 pounds and have short brown or black hair. Witnesses told police the men looked like relatives.

Police said their vehicle was described as a mid-90s dark green Ford Explorer.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to contact police.