Police say a couple broke into at least 10 homes and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry over the last several weeks.
Latrobe police showed WPXI news partner TribLIVE the stolen items they recovered worth $50,000.
Police found thousands of pieces of jewelry and watches found after executing a search warrant at a home on Ligonier Street, one a necklace from China worth $15,000.
Police charged Mark Stout and Calie Rafferty, both of Latrobe, with burglary and receiving stolen property.
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Investigators say they were responsible for a string of residential break-ins at high-end homes.
“They were going door to door, knocking on doors,” said police Chief James Bumar. “When people would come to the door, they were telling them they were looking for a lost dog. Obviously, they were checking to see if people were home.”
Police got a break Wednesday afternoon when they say Stout went to a pawn shop in Charleroi. A short time later, they received a call about a suspicious couple canvassing a neighborhood. Police say they found Rafferty and Stout along with a key piece of evidence.
“The male suspect had a lime green bag that was also seen in video of him leaving a house,” Bumar said. “That same bag was sticking out of his pocket.”
Police also said that last week, a deer hunter found a suitcase filled with jewelry in a creek just outside of Latrobe. Police believe it is connected to this case as well.
Rafferty and Stout are currently housed in the Westmoreland County Prison.