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Burgettstown man hit with more than 160 charges for alleged burglary spree

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Smith Township police levied more than 160 charges against a Burgettstown man whom they say confessed to numerous burglaries in three municipalities.

Michael Ray Lowe, 28, of 13 Railroad St., faces charges of burglary, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, theft from a motor vehicle, theft of secondary metal and loitering.

According to the criminal complaint, police interviewed Lowe at the police station about 1:20 a.m. Friday, when he is said to have admitted to the crimes.

Lowe allegedly told police he had broken into at least nine homes, 10 sheds and garages, and stole 21 catalytic converters from vehicles at used car and auto service lots.

The structures Lowe allegedly broke into were in Smith Township, Burgettstown and Hanover Township. Police say Lowe admitted to stealing copper piping, copper wiring, a laptop, a camera, video games, video game consoles and baseboard heaters from at least 13 of the buildings.

According to the complaint, he broke into buildings by kicking in doors, prying open windows and cutting out window screens.

He told police he stole 12 catalytic converters from Sarracino’s Auto Sales in Burgettstown, seven from Wysocki Inc. in Smith Township and two from Wally’s Auto Services in Smith Township.

According to the criminal complaint, Lowe stole a golf cart from the parking lot of T’s Locker Room in Smith Township to transport the converters from Wysocki Inc.

He cut the converters from the vehicles using a battery-powered Sawzall, according to police.

Lowe also allegedly said that he drilled holes into the fuel tanks of two vehicles at Wally’s Auto Service and drained the gasoline into cans. Police said Lowe caused $10,000 in damage to the vehicles.

Police say Lowe “described in detail” how he committed the crimes. He reportedly named two accomplices who would drive him to scrap yards in Pennsylvania and West Virginia to steal catalytic converters and copper wiring.

Lowe also gave a “detailed confession” to other thefts he committed at Washington Auto Mall and a garage in South Strabane Township, police said.

Lowe was incarcerated in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 11 before District Judge Gary Havelka.

The arrest was the result of a combined investigation with McDonald police.

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