Man Arrested In Connection With String Of Route 8 Burglaries
SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A man has been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries along Route 8.
A very observant Shaler Police officer noticed the suspect's vehicle behind a closed business early Thursday morning. He initiated a traffic stop and immediately recognized the driver.
The driver was 31-year-old Jeffrey Bender, who had eluded police all summer.
He was accused of breaking into businesses and making off with thousands of dollars in cash and stolen goods.
"He immediately recognized him from surveillance photos from previous burglaries and started to question him about what happened," Shaler Twp. Police Lt. Sean Frank said.
According to court papers, during that questioning, Bender first told police he was behind Glenshaw Steel overnight looking for a fishing spot.
Then, he changed his story and allegedly fessed up to taking about $4,000 worth of steel from the business.
Bender is also accused of breaking into Fastenal on Route 8 several times over the summer and taking roughly $15,000 worth of electrical spool.
"He was proficient at picking locks. He actually picked the locks of all the buildings. So, if an officer rode by after the fact, the door was closed and it didn't look tampered with at all," Lt. Frank said.
The burglaries started in June, according to Shaler Police. Five businesses were burglarized over the summer and into October.
Despite surveillance video, police were unable to apprehend him until now.
"The officers were on high alert for this activity," Lt. Frank said.
When Officer Caldone saw brake lights behind Glenshaw Steel, it was an immediate red flag. He allegedly told police he did it for drug money.
"He has a heroin addiction. He admitted that to our officers last night," Lt. Frank said.
Bender is facing eight counts of burglary and theft.
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