By Jeremy Sellew

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, January 10, 2013

North Belle Vernon police are looking for the public's help in solving a burglary that occurred sometime from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3 at a residence on Henry Street. Teresa Thomas reported to police that she returned to the house to check on things and discovered that someone had forced their way into the residence through the back door and had ransacked the residence.

Police discovered a set of footprints with a light covering of snow leading from the alley to the back sliding glass door and a pry bar was found near the rear door that was used to pry another door from the jamb and open it.

According to a police report, the suspect left numerous footprints leading from an attached garage to the alley. Once inside the residence, the suspect went from room to room, opening drawers and cabinets.

According to Thomas and her husband, Gary, missing from the attic are five Lionel train engines and four transformers. From the main bedroom, numerous jewelry valued at approximately $5, 750, including diamond rings, a ruby ring, and gold necklaces, were stolen. Also taken from the room were four rifles, a Remington 700 .270-caliber with 3X9 scope attached, an older 12-gauge pump shotgun, a .22-caliber army training rifle, and another older model rifle. Value of the four firearms was approximately $1,175, police said.

A large knife collection also was stolen from throughout the house. The collection was valued at $8,750.

Police said the burglar moved to the living room and removed a light green Smith Glass candy dish and entered the den area where a Remington display case full of ammunition was taken from atop a gun safe. The suspect removed a Gerstner machinist chest valued at $450 that was full of knives, a wooden machinist chest full of knives and a box containing five rifle scopes valued at $1,250.

Officers collected numerous items for processing and contacted Westmoreland County detectives.

Neighbors were interviewed by police but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Police Chief Jim Bedsworth said a blue pickup truck was seen backed into the driveway of the residence at one point. Police also contacted a nearby business that may have caught the incident on its surveillance system.

Anyone with any information on the burglary is asked to contact police at 724-929-7011 or by dialing 911.

Jeremy Sellew is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2667 or jsellew@tribweb.com.

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