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Canonsburg man charged in burglary

2 min read

A Canonsburg man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a burglary last week of a home on Smithfield Street.

Christopher Lee Coen, 34, of 515 Perry Como St., is accused of breaking into the home of Jen and Michael Spadaro at 253 Smithfield St. March 4 while the two were on vacation and stealing items valued at more than $39,000.

Christopher Cummins discovered the burglary when checking the home for the family. Police said the rear door was forced open. Footprints in the snow led to the back of the house from an alley.

Spadaro met with police three days after the burglary. He told investigators that jewelry valued at about $18,000 was stolen along with a laptop computer, iPad, digital camera, cash, designer purses and an Xbox game console.

Sgt. Al Coghill said police received a tip about an alleged co-defendant in the break-in. The co-defendant told police Coen came over to his house, claiming to know where there was a “lick” and wanted the other man to go with him. The alleged co-defendant told police he did not want to go, but Coen was persistent. He said he acted as a lookout while Coen went inside the house. Coen reportedly came back out of the house with a backpack containing the stolen goods.

Coghill said none of the stolen items have been recovered. Police were told Coen may have traded some of the items for drugs while other goods were sold at a pawn shop.

Coen was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of burglary, criminal mischief, theft and receiving stolen property. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for April 2 before Mark.

Coghill said the investigation is continuing and other arrests are pending.

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