Investigation into string of burglaries lead to discovery of 19 illegal firearms in the ringleader’s home
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that the leader of a burglary ring which targeted 16 business and one private residence was sentenced yesterday in Westmoreland County Court. David Wray, 47, of the 300 block of Naomi Road in Washington Township, Fayette County was sentenced to two to four years in prison followed by five years probation for theft and related offenses.
In March 2016, searches were conducted at Wray’s residence in Fayette County and his family’s farm in Clearfield County, as well as the residences of his accomplices in Forward Township, Allegheny County and West Newton Borough, Westmoreland County, all in connection to the theft of more than $147,000 in hardware, tools, vehicles and more.
During the search of Wray’s residence, investigators found 19 firearms in the bedroom, along with ammunition and drug paraphernalia. Searches of all of the properties yielded the recovery of stolen property associated with reported burglaries and thefts, including a Yamaha ATV, a Kubota RTV, a John Deere tractor, tires and aluminum wheels, a power blower, power tools and hand tools like drills and chainsaws, tire bars, vehicle headlights, landscaping equipment and truck trailers.
“These individuals were conducting thefts and burglaries in Southwestern Pennsylvania for years,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “In addition to victimizing local businesses for thousands of dollars, investigators discovered the ringleader was hoarding 19 firearms, some of which were also identified as having been stolen. We’re holding these dangerous individuals accountable, and we’ve shut this crime ring down.”
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