The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
3 charged with burglaries during pandemic closures
LIMERICK » Three young people have been charged with burglarizing three township businesses last Friday in the midst of the confusion surrounding the closing of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday afternoon, charges against Shawn Carter, 18, of Sanatoga; Hollie Kulp, 20, of Milford and Dylan Pontaski, 18, of King of Prussia were announced by Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Limerick Township Police Chief Brian Skelton.
They face felony charges of burglary, attempted burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, conspiracy other charges related to two burglaries and an attempted burglary at three businesses in Limerick on March 20.
According to information provided by Steele’s office, the three were involved in burglarizing Bravo Pizza, Corropolese Bakery and the attempted burglary of Pretty Nail Salon, all located at the shopping center at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Kugler Road.
Limerick Township Police responded at 10:16 p.m. to Bravo Pizza Friday after the shop’s owner received an alarm that the front glass door was broken, according to a press release from the DA’s office.
Video surveillance showed a male, wearing a camouflage sweatshirt and glasses, stealing change from the register, as there were no bills, and soda from a refrigerator.
Police were also called to Corropolese Bakery, which was broken into in the same manner — the front door smashed with a rock. Surveillance video showed three people in the bakery, where money was stolen from two donation jars on the counter.
Another nearby business, Pretty Nail Salon, reported someone had attempted to smash the front door of the salon using a rock, but was unsuccessful.
Subsequently, police located a male matching the description in the video from Bravo Pizza, along with the other two defendants, walking in the area of Kennedy Ford on West Ridge Pike at approximately 11:24 p.m. They were questioned and taken into custody.
“The investigation revealed that these defendants mistakenly believed that it would be easy to get away with burglarizing closed businesses given the coronavirus restrictions. They were wrong,” said Steele.
“And now they are facing multiple felony charges. Let me be clear: law enforcement in Montgomery County is still operating business as usual and we are still arresting people who participate in criminal activities.”
The three defendants were arraigned on March 21, Magisterial District Judge Scott Palladino, who set bail at $50,000 cash. They were unable to post bail and were remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., April 6, 2020, before the on-call magisterial District Judge.