Lower Burrell man nabbed in burglary spree
Police on Thursday arrested a Lower Burrell man wanted in a spree of burglaries in Allegheny County that netted thousands of dollars of merchandise that he pawned, allegedly to buy drugs.
Peter Paul Dott IV, 25, formerly of Wood Street in the Natrona section of Harrison, tried to run from U.S. Marshal's fugitive task force and sheriff's deputies who spotted him along the 1100 block of Fifth Avenue in New Kensington.
“He ran a short distance. Maybe a block,” Frazer police Chief Terry Kuhns said.
Frazer officers filed charges in two Frazer burglaries against Dott and worked with Indiana Township police to file charges in four burglaries.
Dott also is charged with a burglary in East Deer and related charges in Harrison.
Dott tried to hide in tall weeds, but deputies and others quickly found him, Allegheny County Sheriff William P. Mullen said.
Police found Dott because they obtained a warrant with the help of the U.S. Marshals to trace his cellphone.
Frazer Officer Lee Bartolicius said all of the burglaries happened over the past month during the daytime.
Dott forced open rear doors and ransacked houses searching for jewelry, police said.
He took at least $15,000 in jewelry, cashed it in at pawn shops across the area, and drove to Pittsburgh to buy heroin, police said.
Dott was driven to the residences by alleged accomplice Matthew Hepler. Frazer police arrested him last week in front of his residence in Brackenridge, Kuhns said.
One of the burglaries along Baileys Run Road was interrupted by the homeowners. Police and a county special weapons team surrounded the house, but Dott somehow eluded capture that day, police said.
Hepler is facing burglary and other charges. He posted bond and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Dott is accused of multiple counts of theft, criminal trespassing, receiving stolen property and related charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Allegheny County night court.
Chuck Biedka is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4711, cbiedka@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ChuckBiedka.
