Police say they have made two arrests in a series of burglaries that targeted businesses in several Southtowns communities.
Hamburg Police said Kevin Carney, 30, of Buffalo and Adam Fruchtel, 29, of Lockport, have been charged with burglaries at the McKinley Parkway Pizza Hut, Wild Birds Unlimited, The Corner Store, Braymiller's Market, and Uncle Joe's restaurant. The pair are expected to face similar charges in Eden, Evans and Orchard Park.
The burglary at Braymiller's Market was caught on security camera.
Police have accused the two of committing at least 11 burglaries in the Southtowns, but believe their crimes could span elsewhere in western New York.
Authorities were able to connect the burglaries, in part, because the two allegedly used a hammer to access local businesses. They two allegedly stole cash in most instances. However, in Orchard Park, more than $10-thousand in high fashion items and equipment from stores in Orchard Park.
Officials said that over time, the two became "better" at committing burglaries. However, "we also think that they got a little sloppy. They didn't think they were going to get caught," said Evans Police Chief Ernie Masullo.
Police said the two targeted small businesses because of the tendency for those locations to keep more cash on hand.
The burglaries police said they connected Carney and Fruchtel to span from February 15th through March 4th. However, other burglaries are under investigation.
The string of burglaries came to an end with Evans Police noticed a broken window in a business, and then the vehicle that Carney and Fruchtel were in nearby. A hammer was found in the vehicle, according to police.
Both men have a history of burglaries.
Carney's burglary record dates back to 2001. Fruchtel just got out of prison on December 29th, 2015 for burglaries committed from 2008-2010. He was part of a large group plea deal, and was on probation when these latest burglaries occurred. One of the businesses he burglarized several years ago is among stores recently burglarized.
Both suspects have been remanded to Erie County Jail due to the amount of crimes they have been accused of committing.
