By Matt Snyder
MERCER AREA — The same day an alleged burglar tried to break into a Coolspring Township home, police said he also stole prescription medication from a Tait Road home only two miles away.
Chad Anthony Combs, 38, of 224 S. Otter St., Mercer, was charged Friday with burglary, criminal trespassing, theft, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief before District Judge Lorinda L. Hinch, Mercer.
Police said they caught Combs Jan. 11 after his attempted burglary on Apache Trail, Coolspring Township. He had 27 Percocet and 14 Vicodin pills on him, both prescription painkillers. When asked, police said, he admitted taking them in another burglary the same day.
Later that day, a woman on Tait Road in Coolspring Township came home and found someone had broken her door open, gone through her cabinet drawers, and taken several prescription medications. Police said that was the only other burglary reported Jan. 11.
The woman told police that Percocet were taken, but she didn’t know how many. In a later phone interview, she said she also found an empty pill bottle for Vicodin.
Police have not said whether Combs is responsible for the string of burglaries in Mercer, where homes were broken into for money and prescription painkillers.
Police Chief David Fockler confirmed that the last Mercer burglary was reported Jan. 8 on Vogan Drive. The rash of burglaries also included Pitt, Butler, Home, and Market streets.
In November, state police said daytime burglaries were happening in Findley, Jackson, Worth, and Wolf Creek townships, all near Coolspring Township.
Combs was picked up after police said he kicked in an Apache Trail home’s door Jan. 11, found a 17-year-old girl was home, and tried to flee in his van. The van got stuck in the snow, slowing his escape. Police caught up with him shortly after he freed the van.
State police trooper Dan Sindlinger has warned residents that despite Combs’ being suspected of other burglaries, they should continue to be cautious and lock their doors.
Charges have also been held to court against Combs for the Apache Trail burglary. He remains in Mercer County Jail.
