Paul J. Trush, 41, of Sicklerville, is already in the Camden County Jail, but will face additional charges in Evesham Township when he gets out.
EVESHAM TWP. -- A South Jersey man already in Camden County Jail on burglary charges is facing further punishment in Evesham as a result of an alleged copper pipe burglary spree at vacant homes.
The Evesham charges against Paul J. Trush, 41, of Sicklerville, were announced by township police on Thursday. Lt. Joseph Friel said two township homes were burglarized within the past two months and Trush was charged as the suspect.
The Camden County resident was caught as a result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation between law enforcement agencies from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties probing the theft of copper piping from more than 50 vacant homes throughout the tri-county area.
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Evesham police said Trush targered abandoned homes or others under bank foreclosures. After that, he would allegedly remove copper piping and sell it to "various scrap yards in the tri-state area," police said.
Friel said Thursday that Trush apparently visited numerous scrap yards as he sought to sell the stolen piping and that the scrap yards cooperated in the joint investigation. Trush was charged with two counts of third degree burglary, third degree theft and criminal mischief.
Evesham police encouraged residents who suspect or have observed suspicious activity to contact the department at 856-9983-1116, the confidential tip line at 856-983-4699 or via email at facebook@eveshampd.org.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
