Oct 31, 2013 2 min read

They may not know each other or the victim, but witnesses to a vehicle break-in and theft in New Eagle Tuesday night helped Monongahela police identify the suspect.

Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of Richard Fine, 26, of 425 Chess St., Monongahela, after he was identified by both witnesses and surveillance video.

Police Chief Brian Tempest said police received a report of a theft from a car parked in the lot at Hill’s Restaurant on Route 88 in New Eagle. The driver’s side window had been broken and a purse containing a wallet was stolen.

“A number of witnesses came forward and told our officers that they saw a white man wearing a hooded shirt pick up a cinder block and hit the driver’s window three times,” Tempest said. “The restaurant had a video that showed the thief looking directly at the camera.”

After the theft, the suspect fled on foot.

Witnesses a few blocks away saw the thief climb over a fence and run. Tempest said those witnesses were also able to identify him as Fine.

The purse was recovered about a block from the restaurant but the wallet containing cash and identification was gone.

“It was so nice that so many people came forward,” Tempest said. “And the restaurant staff immediately made the video available for the officers to review.”

Tempest said police often get little cooperation from witnesses to a crime.

“It is nice to see it still happens in this day and age,” he added.

Police obtained a warrant for Fine’s arrest on charges of theft from a motor vehicle, theft and criminal mischief.