Pittsburgh man charged with Fayette burglaries
A Pittsburgh man and members of his alleged crew of burglars have been charged with breaking into three Fayette County businesses. Attorney General Mike Fisher charged Donald J. Fish, 27, his wife, Keena, and eight other men with burglary, robbery and related charges for breaking into businesses in eight southwestern Pennsylvania counties over the past 1 1/2 years, including Fayette County.
While the ring mainly operated in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, three Fayette businesses were listed in criminal complaints filed by the attorney general’s office.
B&D Tires in Uniontown was broken into last June 22; the Artic Delight in North Union Township and White’s Tavern in Franklin Township were both broken into sometime after Nov. 11, 2001.
Kevin Harley, spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said that no specific dollar amounts were listed as taken from any of those three businesses.
“Oftentimes, they would hit more than a single place in a single night. Quite often they would go away empty handed (if they could not find money quickly),” said Harley.
Fish and his crew allegedly started out breaking into businesses in the Murraysville area, said Harley.
“And they kept expanding their circle out. That’s how they moved into Fayette County – they hit everything else,” said Harley.
Officials allege that the group committed 89 burglaries and seven robberies. The two charges differ because robbery is the forcible taking of property while burglary involves entry into an unoccupied structure.
Officials believe the group netted more than $500,000 during the alleged crime spree, once stealing nearly $250,000 from the safe of a Derry Township B-BQ restaurant, said Harley.
Charges were filed against the Fishes, along with Donald Wall, 26; Douglas Hubbard, 26; Brian Harris, 29; Aaron Swan, 28; Harry Randall III, 29; Demetruis Waldon, 28; Anthony Salvador, 27; and David J. Repasky, 25, all of Allegheny County.
Fisher filed charges at the recommendation of a statewide grand jury out of Harrisburg.
Authorities allege burglaries took place in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Fayette, Indiana, Jefferson and Westmoreland counties.
Harley said the cases would all be heard in Westmoreland County Court.