Authorities are investigating whether suspects in a recent burglary and attempted burglary at the UPS distribution center in Taylor are connected to a string of break-ins at other UPS facilities along the East Coast, borough police chief Brian Holland said.
Nafesse Lakie, of Upper Darby, and Thomas Ballah, of Lansdowne, were arrested March 25 after police say a UPS security guard interrupted a burglary at the center in the Stauffer Industrial Park.
In October, Samir Abraham, 20, Dominic Dobson, 20, Markel Person, 22, and Robert Reed, 20,were arrested after a security guard told officers he saw men trying to break in through a window on a door.
The incidents are the latest of several burglaries at UPS distribution centers in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio over the past several months, according to news reports. Other break-ins occurred in Lancaster, Austinburg Twp., Ohio and in Nanuet, New York.
In a press release, the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio said five suspects arrested at the Austinburg UPS facility in November are believed to be part of a Philadelphia-area crime ring responsible for multiple break-ins at UPS facilities. The office said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is tracking the group, which is believed to have stolen more than $3.5 million in property.
Holland said local authorities are aware of the break-ins in other jurisdictions and are investigating whether the defendants are part of a larger organized crime operation.
“We are in contact with other law enforcement agencies regarding those incidents,” Holland said.
Lakie, 18, is charged with burglary, conspiracy, criminal trespass and several other offenses, while Ballah, 20, is charged with conspiracy, flight to avoid apprehension and several other offenses. Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for April 10.
Reed, Abraham, Person, and Dobson, all of Philadelphia, each face multiple charges for the October attempted break-in, including criminal trespass and conspiracy. Each waived their right to a preliminary hearing in December and are awaiting trial in Lackawanna County Court.
Abraham’s attorney, James Elliott of Scranton, said police have not yet produced any evidence to show his client is involved in an organized crime ring.
“There is absolutely nothing to show there is some kind of ring,” Elliott said. “It’s all speculation.”
Reed’s attorney, Paul Walker of Scranton, said he was told federal authorities are looking into UPS break-ins, but has received no further information.