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Westmoreland County couple accused in rash of vehicle break-ins

State police say there may be more victims out there

Westmoreland County couple accused in rash of vehicle break-ins

State police say there may be more victims out there

FROM HEMPFIELD TO MOUNT PLEASANT , STATE POLICE SAY THEY KNOW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A RASH OF VEHICLE BREAK-INS. THEY SAY THEY HAD STUFF STOLEN FROM THEIR VEHICLES LAST FALL. >> HE SPECIFICALLY WENT AND GOOGLED PLACES THAT WERE RICH NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT IS WHERE HE WENT. >> THE BREAK IN THE CASE CAME FROM POLICE IN FLORIDA. THEY ARRESTED JOHN HUGHES FOR DOING THE SAME THING. THIS IS WHAT THEY FOUND. THEY SAY IT LED HIM TO HIS GIRLFRIEND’S HOME IN YOUGSTOWN BURRELL. >> WE FOUND 150 ITEMS THAT BELONG TO OTHER PEOPLE. >> POLICE SAY THEY RECOVER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF GIFT CARDS, JEWELRY AND ELECTRONICS, ALONG WITH FORESTALLING GUNS. THE GIRLFRIEND IS NOT IN POLICE CUSTODY, BUT SHE IS CHARGED. IN THE MEANTIME, THIS MAN DOES NOT FORGET TO LOCK HIS STORES ANYMORE. >> IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THAT DESPERATE. >> THE OBVIOUS LESSON HERE IS LOCK YOUR DOORS REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE. STATE POLICE RECOMMEND NOT LEAVING YOUR GUN IN YOUR VEHICLE EVEN IF IT IS LOT.
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Westmoreland County couple accused in rash of vehicle break-ins

State police say there may be more victims out there

A Westmoreland County couple is facing nearly 4,000 charges connected to a rash of vehicle break-ins last fall in Westmoreland County.Watch the report: Click the video player above.Charges were filed against John Hughes, 30, and Shelby Stamm, 26, last week.According to the criminal complaint, the break-ins happened in multiple Westmoreland County communities last fall and police were able to identify at least 27 alleged victims. Police said the couple targeted unlocked vehicles in wealthier neighborhoods throughout the county. "He specifically went and googled places that had rich neighborhoods," Trooper Steve Limani said.According to police in Florida, Hughes was arrested there late last fall and is accused of similar crimes. That investigation led state police to Stamm's home in Youngstown Borough where police said more than 150 stolen items were recovered. Police said the items were worth thousands of dollars. Among the stolen goods, police said they recovered four firearms that had been sold to a third party.Police said the couple targeted unlocked vehicles at night, and during the investigation, Stamm admitted to helping Hughes. According to police, a lot of the stolen items were returned, but police do believe there may be more victims that never reported having their vehicles entered. Hughes is being held in Florida. Stamm has not been arraigned on the charges and no court date has been set.

A Westmoreland County couple is facing nearly 4,000 charges connected to a rash of vehicle break-ins last fall in Westmoreland County.

Watch the report: Click the video player above.

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Charges were filed against John Hughes, 30, and Shelby Stamm, 26, last week.

According to the criminal complaint, the break-ins happened in multiple Westmoreland County communities last fall and police were able to identify at least 27 alleged victims. Police said the couple targeted unlocked vehicles in wealthier neighborhoods throughout the county.

"He specifically went and googled places that had rich neighborhoods," Trooper Steve Limani said.

According to police in Florida, Hughes was arrested there late last fall and is accused of similar crimes. That investigation led state police to Stamm's home in Youngstown Borough where police said more than 150 stolen items were recovered. Police said the items were worth thousands of dollars.

Among the stolen goods, police said they recovered four firearms that had been sold to a third party.

Police said the couple targeted unlocked vehicles at night, and during the investigation, Stamm admitted to helping Hughes. According to police, a lot of the stolen items were returned, but police do believe there may be more victims that never reported having their vehicles entered.

Hughes is being held in Florida. Stamm has not been arraigned on the charges and no court date has been set.