SUMMERVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — Authorities in Punxsutawney say additional charges have been filed against a Summerville man accused of a string of burglaries that allegedly occurred between March 2012 and February 2015 in Summerville Borough, Jefferson County.
According to Punxsutawney-based State Police, 26-year-old Tyler Alan Ross is facing Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Trespssing charges stemming from multiple burglaries where jewelry, money, and firearms were stolen from residences in the Summerville area.
Shotgun Stolen from Residence on Heathville Road, September 1, 2014
According to a criminal complaint, Trooper Paige Pifer interviewed a male victim on February 4, 2015, at his residence on Heathville Road in Summerville concerning several items that he had reported stolen on September 1, 2014.
The items the victim had reported stolen included a Remington Model 1100, 12 gauge shotgun valued at $800.00, approximately 50 Vicoden pills valued at $200.00, and cash in the amount of $130.00.
The complaint states that the victim explained that Ross was allegedly at his house on several occasions and knew the house was not locked. The victim also related to police that he has a dog that is not friendly with strangers, however, Ross had been around the dog and the dog knows him.
According to the complaint, while Trooper Randy Powell was conducting additional investigations regarding burglaries in Summerville Borough, he was in contact with the owner of Veronesi Gunsmithing in New Bethlehem, Pa.
The owner previously identified two guns he allegedly purchased from Ross that were reported stolen, the complaint continues.
Following a records check, it was discovered that Ross allegedly sold the owner a Remington Model 1100 12 gauge shotgun, the complaint states.
On February 17, Trooper Powell met with the owner of Veronesi Gunsmithing who provided a copy of a Firearms Receipt Record which indicated that Ross allegedly sold the business the shotgun on September 26, 2014, for $300.00, the complaint indicates.
According to the complaint, Trooper Powell received the results of an e-trace on February 19 that indicated the gun sold to Veronesi Gunsmithing by Ross was purchased by the victim from the Brookville Gun Shop.
During an interview with Trooper Powell on March 3, Ross allegedly admitted he had stolen the gun from the victim’s residence and sold it to Veronesi Gunsmithing for drug money.
Ross allegedly denied taking the medication and money that were also reported missing from the residence, continues the complaint.
Rifle Stolen From Residence on Roseville Sigel Road, September 20, 2014
According to a criminal complaint, a male victim contacted PSP Punxsutawney on March 4, 2015, and requested to speak to a trooper regarding a stolen firearm.
The victim explained that a Remington Model 700 30.06 caliber bolt action rifle valued at $300.00 was stolen from his residence on Roseville Sigel Road in Eldred Township, Jefferson County.
The complaint states that the gun was owned by the victim’s son who is currently deployed with the United States Air Force in Kuwait.
Trooper Powell previously seized the firearm in question from Veronesi Gunsmithing and was in the process of taking steps to identify the rightful owner when the victim contacted PSP Punxsutawney, the complaint indicates.
According to the complaint, the gun was taken in late September of 2014 from the victim’s son’s bedroom.
Ross was allegedly at the victim’s residence because he and the victim’s son golfed together and were friends, the complaint states.
Trooper Powell was provided with Firearms Receipt Records from Veronesi Gunsmithing that indicate Ross allegedly sold the business the rifle on September 27, 2014, for $300.00, the complaint continues.
According to the complaint, the owner of the store allegedly told police that Ross had given the impression he was the owner of the gun and was selling it because he had accepted a job in New York and was moving.
During an interview with Trooper Powell on March 3, 2015, Ross allegedly said he was the owner of the rifle and had sold it to Veronesi Gunsmithing.
Ross’s father allegedly told police he had never purchased that particular gun for his son and was unaware he had it in his possession, continues the complaint.
Hunting Rifle Stolen from 2nd Avenue, September 30, 2014
A criminal complaint indicates that a male victim contacted PSP Punxsutawney on December 2, 2014. requesting to speak with a trooper regarding a missing hunting rifle.
Trooper Ryan Butka spoke with the victim who explained that his Winchester Model 70 bolt action .270 caliber rifle valued at $300.00- was missing from his residence on 2nd Avenue in Summerville Borough, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, the victim had attempted to locate the firearm by searching his residence and contacting family and friends.
Trooper Powell interviewed Ross on January 30 at PSP Punxsutawney. Ross allegedly denied involvement with the theft of the gun or its whereabouts.
While conducting additional investigations regarding numerous burglaries in Summerville Borough, Trooper Powell was in contact with the owner of Veronesi Gunsmithing, the complaint indicates.
After completing a records check, the owner allegedly discovered Ross had sold him a firearm matching the stolen rifle on September 30 for $250.00, continues the complaint.
Jewelry Stolen from Residence on Church Street, February 2, 2015
According to a criminal complaint, a female victim was interviewed by Trooper Sean Jenary on March 12, 2015 at her residence on Church Street in Summerville.
The victim explained to police that she had recently discovered that various pieces of gold and silver jewelry were missing from her residence. A list of approximately 21 pieces of jewelry consisting of necklaces, rings, and pins had allegedly been stolen from her bedroom, according to the complaint. The missing jewelry was valued at approximately $1,743.00, according to the complaint.
The victim told police she did not notice any damage to her windows or doors but did keep a spare key under a dust pan on her back porch for emergencies, the complaint continues.
According to the complaint, the victim told police that she never told anyone about the key, but that Ross’s father had allegedly mowed her grass for her for the last four years and would have used the dust pan as he cleaned the sidewalks after mowing.
The criminal complaint indicates that Ross has allegedly admitted to entering homes, taking jewelry, and selling it to several pawn shops in the Sharon area for drug money.
Ross Previously Arrested, Jailed on Numerous Burglaries
Court documents indicate Ross was arrested on March 3, 2015, on numerous burglary and theft charges stemming from multiple incidents that occurred between March 2012 and February 2015.
He was housed in the Jefferson County Jail on $100,000.00 bail.
Ross Charged with Additional Offenses, Awaits Preliminary Hearing
Court documents indicate the following additional charges against Ross:
September 1, 2014, theft:
– Burglary — Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 1
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 2
– Theft By Deception-Fail To Correct, Felony 2
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
September 20, 2014, theft:
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 2
– Theft By Deception-False Impression, Felony 2
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 2
September 30, 2014, theft:
– Burglary — Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 1
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
– Theft By Deception-Fail To Correct, Felony 2
February 2, 2015, Theft:
– Burglary — Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 1
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3
– Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Summary
A preliminary hearing for the additional charges filed May 4, 2015, has been scheduled for May 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. before District Judge Bazylak.
