Authorities say Peter Masciangelo is a serial burglar who allegedly stole from 15 homes in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties while residents were out.
Covering his face, the 35-year-old Masciangelo, of Bryn Mawr Avenue in Lower Merion, appeared in district court. He's been jailed since late September on burglary charges, but today more charges were added: all told, 42 felony and misdemeanor counts of burglary theft and possession of stolen property.
Assistant District Attorney Jesse King said the burglaries happened "usually during the day. It was after he got information from his own surveillance that no one was home."
King said Masciangelo stole "whatever he could take quickly - jewelry, small computers, laptops, that sort of thing."
Police say Masciangelo has admitted burglarizing homes in Lower Merion, Radnor, Upper Merion and Trediffrin. He was arrested after stealing from a home on Mallwyd road in Merion in late September, but he had been a suspect for months prior to his arrest.
"They recognized his vehicle from around the area and kept an eye on him," said King.
King says most of the items stolen were fenced quickly but that a search of Masciangelo's vehicle and home did uncover some of the alleged stolen jewelry and $300,000 in savings bonds.
Masciangelo's bail was increased to $99,000 cash. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will appear in Montgomery County court in January.
