Problems grow for ex-Steeler
The list of Terry Long's travails just got a little longer.
Burglars possibly wielding power tools broke into a vacant North Side mansion owned by the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, making off with antique mantles and stained-glass windows worth more than $20,000, police said.
Police last week arrested one man, whom they declined to identify, and are seeking three other suspects in the break-in, which occurred late Jan. 28 or early Jan. 29.
Police are trying to determine whether the thieves are part of a burglary ring targeting homes with stained-glass windows, said burglary Detective Richard Yochus.
The items stolen from Long's home, some weighing hundreds of pounds, were sold to an antiques shop. Most have been recovered.
"It would take a few hours at least to remove the windows and the mantles. You would probably need a truck to do it," said city police Sgt. Kevin Gasiorowski, head of the burglary squad. "We don't know if they were casing the place or if this was a crime of opportunity."
The same 5,500-square-foot home on California Avenue, which was built in 1911, was burglarized in similar fashion about 18 months ago, said Long, who bought the house in 1998 and has been trying to sell it for years. A deal to sell it to former Steelers defensive back Delton Hall fell through.
"Somebody kicked in the door and stole the fireplace, chandeliers and stained glass," said Long, who lives in Sewickley. "My goodness."
A search of Allegheny County property records also shows Long owes $2,327.66 in back taxes on the California Avenue property, and is delinquent in paying taxes on his primary residence.
Long, who started at right guard for the Steelers from 1984 to 1991, said he first bought the aging mansion to help a family of eight who had been living there because they were in the process of being evicted and he wanted to make sure they weren't forced onto the street. The family has since moved on, he said.
Coldwell Banker agent Jim Peters first noticed the thefts as he began preparing the California Avenue property for market.
"I called Terry and said, 'Hey, you got stained glass windows missing,' " Peters said.
The burglary is the latest in a string of events to haunt Long.
