LATROBE, Pa.,None — Police in Latrobe said the snowy weather helped them catch a home break-in suspect.
Investigators said Eric Jennings, 26, left behind footprints when tried to break into several homes in Latrobe. Police said they used the footprints to make a cast and were able to match it to the boots he was wearing.
Police said Jennings broke in to a West Second Avenue home over the weekend and stole the homeowner's purse and credit cards. Afterward, he continued walking in the neighborhood where police found his tracks.
"As the light came out, because this came in a little after 6 in the morning, we went back through and we could actually see where he went door to door through the 300 block of Debner Drive and then West Second Avenue here in the city," said Officer Michael Wigand.
Investigators said the footprints showed that Jennings tried unsuccessfully to break into at least a dozen other homes.
Jennings was later arrested and gave police more information about a separate case they have been working on.
"He also admitted to a robbery which had occurred back in December downtown here where he had stolen money out of a purse and he was confronted by a co-worker and assaulted that co-worker to get away," Wigand said.
Police said Jennings had a female accomplice who used the cards at nearby stores. Police caught Tina McCartney on surveillance video and charged her as well.
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