Three Charged in Copper Burglary, Arson Scheme, DA Says

From left: Kevin Colosimo, Ryan Nelson and Megan Gawel (Photos courtesy of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)

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Three people have been charged in a scheme to steal copper piping from vacant houses and then set fire to the structures, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Incidents occurred in Abington, East Norriton, Limerick, Pottstown, Swarthmore, Havertown, and Aston, District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.

“All of the burglaries took place in houses that were unoccupied and in some form of transition,” the District Attorney’s Office said. “All of the houses were owned by banks or holding companies or were otherwise part of an estate. All of the homes were listed for sale, and copper pipe had been stolen in each incident. Further, in several of the burglaries, the defendants ignited a fire by use of the kitchen stove.”

Charged with criminal conspiracy, burglary, arson, theft and related charges are Kevin Colosimo of Douglassville; Ryan Nelson of Alden; and Megan Gawel of Newark, Del., Ferman said.

“These individuals placed money above the safety of others including the firefighters who responded,” Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said. “I would like to commend the Montgomery County Office of the District Attorney who took the lead on the case and the detectives for their collaborative work on this expansive investigation into the facts and circumstances of a rash of residential burglaries and arsons across multiple jurisdictions that destroyed property and left communities in fear.”

All three were arraigned Thursday morning and held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail each. Preliminary hearings are set for Feb. 27.

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