By Stephanie Hacke

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2013

A South Hills man is headed to court on charges of burglary in connection with several homes in the area hit during a four-month span.

William Murphy III, 28, had 10 counts each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property and eight counts of burglary, filed by Baldwin Borough police on Jan. 21, held for court during a hearing in front of District Magistrate John Bova last week.

Charges of criminal trespass and criminal attempt — burglary, filed by Baldwin police on Jan. 17, were waived for court.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for March 18 at the Allegheny County Courthouse.

Baldwin Borough police accuse Murphy of entering several homes on Blossom and Elderslee roads and Elaine Drive between Oct. 14 and Jan. 1, and taking jewelry, cash and guns from the residences. The items totalled more than $18,000, police said. All of the burglaries occurred during the day, Baldwin police said.

Murphy is accused of selling most of the items at pawn shops, police said.

He is accused of stealing from family, and then moving on to take things from neighbors in the section of Baldwin Borough where he was staying with his mother, Baldwin police Chief Michael Scott has said. Murphy last was found staying at the Jefferson Hotel.

After the charges, he was placed in the Allegheny County jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond. Court records show his confinement at the jail ended on Jan. 31.

Charges of burglary and criminal trespass, filed by Allegheny County police on Jan. 4 in connection to the burglaries, were waived for court during last week's hearing. Charges of firearm ownership and two counts of receiving stolen property were withdrawn.

Murphy also had charges of burglary and theft by unlawful taking, filed by West Mifflin police, waived for court after a Jan. 31 hearing in front of District Magistrate Richard Olasz Jr.

Stephanie Hacke is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5818 or shacke@tribweb.com.

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