2 charged in rash of vehicle break-ins in Westmoreland County

Two people are facing charges in connection with more than two dozen vehicle break-ins across Westmoreland County, according to court papers.

Troopers said the suspects — Shelby Lynn Stamm, 26, of Youngstown and John Mitchell Hughes, 30, of Orlando, Fla. — stole cash, guns, designer sunglasses, wallets and other items.

Stamm was set for arraignment Tuesday. Hughes had not been arraigned.

The theft spree first was reported in September in Youngstown and Unity. Troopers said they determined 11 vehicles were broken into overnight and ransacked, with several items being reported missing, including a gun, wallets, cash and gift cards, according to court papers.

In the following weeks, investigators said they got similar reports from neighborhoods in Mt. Pleasant, Hempfield and Unity townships. They ultimately took reports from 27 vehicle owners.

Troopers got a break Oct. 20 when they were contacted by police in Florida. Hughes had been arrested there in connection with vehicle break-ins, and police requested Pennsylvania authorities talk to Stamm, according to court papers.

Stamm told troopers Hughes was her boyfriend, and they broke into cars “because they did not have any income,” according to court papers. She said Hughes would search for wealthy neighborhoods and travel throughout the area to break into vehicles.

From Stamm’s home, troopers said, they seized 150 items, including gift cards, driver’s licenses, debit and credit cards, purses and electronic devices, according to court papers. They found several items believed to have been stolen in two other locations.

Stamm and Hughes are charged with receiving stolen property and loitering or prowling at night. Hughes faces additional counts of theft and weapons violations, and Stamm also is charged with conspiracy. Neither suspect had an attorney listed in online court records.

A July 7 preliminary hearing is set for Stamm.