Alleged Bethlehem burglar’s smoke break helps ID him
Face caught on surveillance camera, helping investigators
A Bethlehem man’s alleged spree of burglaries late last week was caught on a variety of South Side security cameras, including one at the Tally Ho Tavern where the view of him taking a smoke break helped city investigators crack the case.
Kevin Mamuzich, 44, of the 600 block of Pawnee Street, was arraigned Monday night on five counts of burglary and a single count each of theft, criminal mischief and possession of an instrument of crime. He was sent to Northampton County Jail under $250,000 bail. According to court records: On Saturday morning, several South Side Bethlehem businesses reported break-ins.
Nail City, 341 Broadway, was entered sometime overnight, an owner told police, and several desk drawers were found open though nothing appeared missing. Scratch marks on the frame of the front door indicated the door was pried open.
Goosey Gander, 102 W. Fourth
St., also reported an overnight burglary. Owners found more than $200 missing from the business as well as a backpack containing business-related documents. The rear door of the deli had signs of being forced open.
At Eskandalo hair salon, 14 W. Fourth St., several items were found missing, including a cash box with $541, a smartphone, tablet and electronic payment reader. Police also found evidence of a door being pried open at the hair salon.
Video surveillance from inside Eskandalo captured the burglar on footage between 11:30 p.m. Friday and 12:10 a.m. Saturday.
Police received a call later Saturday from the owners of Tally Ho Tavern, 205 W. Fourth St., reporting yet another burglary in the area. Security footage indicated the thief forced his way inside at 5:30 a.m. Saturday and his description matched the man caught on video inside Eskandalo.
Bethlehem police recognized the man as Mamuzich because they were familiar with him from another investigation in the city.
On Monday morning, Bethlehem police received word of another break-in, at the Family
Prescription Center, 439 Wyandotte St. Owners said the thief must have entered between Friday and Monday, when the store was closed, and reported more than $10,000 worth of damage to the doors.
Police knew Mamuzich lived on Pawnee Street with his mother and were able to examine surveillance footage nearby that showed him leave his home at 11:34 p.m. Friday carrying a bag and heading toward the South Side business district, where the break-ins took place.
Footage from nearby security cameras captured Mamuzich entering each of the businesses he’s accused of burglarizing. He reached the Tally Ho Tavern last, about 5:24 a.m., and hit a security camera at the top of the business’s stairway, knocking it to one side but not breaking it. The camera continued to record Mamuzich prying open a door and entering the business.
Police say when Mamuzich stopped to smoke a cigarette on the deck of the Tally Ho Tavern, his face was clearly visible in camera footage and investigators recognized him.