Nov 24, 2014 2 min read

North Strabane Township police arrested two men and are looking for a third man who allegedly broke in to a construction business on Linden Creek Road and stole tools.

Rodney Gazzam, 25, of 1605 McElheney Road, South Park, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of burglary, conspiracy, theft, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property for allegedly breaking in to Maxim Construction Oct. 21 and Nov. 3.

Alan Michael Dague, 26, of 125 Old Meadow Road, North Strabane, was arraigned Monday before Weller on charges of burglary, theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property in connection with the Nov. 3 break-in at the business.

Township police Detective John Wybranowski said Gazzam is a former employee of the business, which does home remodeling and roofing.

“He had knowledge of the warehouse and where the tools were,” Wybranowski said. “Gazzam had success on the first time, so he decided to try his luck a second time.”

The building was entered through a large garage door after holes were drilled in it so the locking mechanism could be accessed by the intruders.

The detective said police got good cooperation from Washington-area pawn shops where the stolen tools were sold. Wybranowski said records obtained from the pawn shops showed Gazzam’s involvement. Police and the business owner were able to recover some of the stolen items.

“This is an example of another crime related to drug addiction,” Wybranowski said.

Gazzam is in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. Dague, who told Weller that he is addicted to heroin, was released on the condition that he pursues or begins a drug-treatment program before he returns for his Dec. 8 preliminary hearing.