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Mountain area communities post reward money for information on burglars

By Olivia Goudy ogoudy@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Olivia Goudy|Herald-Standard

Scott Gates, owner of S&S Bait and Tackle, stands by his Chalk Hill-based store that was burglarized last week.

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Olivia Goudy|Herald-Standard

Several mountain area businesses, including Nate Doggs, are offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of the burglars who’ve targeted local businesses.

For the past several months, the normally peaceful communities of Chalk Hill, Farmington, Markleysburg and their surrounding areas have been shaken by a wave of burglaries.

Homeowners and business owners have been struck by the unknown burglars, prompting locals to post reward money for information leading to the burglar’s arrest.

Phillip Holt, CEO of GNH Trucking in Markleysburg has posted a $6,500 reward for information. Though his business hasn’t been a direct target of this recent wave of crime, his family has dealt with would-be robbers in the past.

“Everyone around me — neighbors and businesses — are being robbed. They know which businesses to hit. They seem professional,” said Holt. “We’ve been very fortunate that we haven’t been hit.”

Holt said several local businesses have donated funds to the reward money, including Dennis Lumber, Wilson Auto Sales and John Tressler of Confluence.

Nick Ciaccia, owner of Nate Doggs in Chalk Hill, also has a large sum posted as a reward for information.

“I grew up here, and my parents are still here. We don’t need this crime up here,” Ciaccia said, adding that their reward money is up to $3,150. “The mountains are a safe place for relieving stress and enjoying nature. We just want people to feel safe again.”

In the business’s Facebook post about the reward, they stated: “Nate Doggs has not been robbed, but we felt it was time to take aggressive action to assist our friends, our neighbors, and our community.”

“Give us specific information that leads to locking them up, and you make a stack of cash. Let us know, and get your dough,” it continued.

Last Monday, S&S Bait and Tackle, Hometown Landscape Supplies and the Christmas Shop in Chalk Hill were burglarized.

The owner of S&S, Scott Gates, said the burglars caused roughly $1,000 in damage to the door and stole an undetermined amount of cash.

“I’m pretty mad. This is my livelihood, and some people are trying to take it,” he said. “Don’t let me catch you, and don’t let anyone in the mountain catch you.”

The burglar was caught on the business’s security camera and revealed one individual dressed in dark clothing and wearing a mask. He said the burglar also had to have some previous knowledge of the store, since they knew which of their two registers would have cash.

“Maybe they’re casing the places beforehand. On the surveillance video, the person had the door open in the matter of minutes and was only in here about three minutes,” Gates said.

Gates said he called Tom Murray, co-owner of Hometown Landscape Supplies, to see if the burglar was caught on camera coming around the back of the plaza.

Whenever Murray got to his business that night, though, he found that the burglars had already been there and disabled the security cameras.

“At first, we thought it was someone who knew us here in Chalk Hill, but now we’re seeing that it’s everyone up and down Route 40. There’s a pattern,” Murray said, noting that the burglars stole more than $300 from them. “These guys just take cash. If it was drug-related, they probably would’ve taken merchandise, too.”

“Every single one of these people who’ve been hit are hard working, honest, good people. It’s a shame,” Murray said, adding that they’re all having to put money into their own safety.

Like several other business owners in the area, Murray is now investing in more cameras and better security. Because the burglars also accessed his business by removing the window air conditioning unit, he’s also putting money into a central air system that wouldn’t require a window unit.

“The burglars better watch their backs. They’re messing with a different breed of people up here,” said Murray. “There’s no loyalty among thieves. We’re hoping to get enough reward money and get someone to talk.”

In addition to the Chalk Hill business that have been hit, the Dirty Gerty Beer & Ice distributor has been hit twice, while several others including The Country Store, Pizza Hut and Rosenberger Auto Sales have been burglarized. Several homes in the Markleysburg and Confluence area have recently been burglarized as well.

State police Trooper Stefani Lucas said a team of investigators are looking into the burglaries.

“We do believe they’re connected. It seems to be a repeat offender,” she said. Lucas also noted that anyone with information can contact the Fayette County Crime Stoppers on Facebook or by calling 724-320-2042.

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