Pocono News Section

Police Catch "Master Thief" in Plains Township

Police Catch "Master Thief" in Plains Township - Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 3:39PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Jul 8, 2008 @ 03:39pm EST
PLAINS TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- Police call 18-year-old Corey Pacewicz a "master thief." They say he would steal the clothes off your back if he could. Now many business owners will sleep easier knowing an arrest has been made in connection with a rash of break-ins.

Police say Pacewicz broke into dozens of homes and businesses along with cars. Mary Ricci owns a coffee shop on River Road in Plains Township. Her shop was one of four businesses burglarized last month. "He took my cash register right off the counter, stole a cell phone from here. He used the cell phone, that's how they figured who it was. I come in everyday at 5:20, walked around the corner. Nothing else was touched in here so I didn't suspect anything at all. The doors were closed, I came around the corner and over there the register was gone."

Investigators say Corey Pacewicz burglarized dozens of businesses. He took everything from cell phones to even tractors from a Plains Township trucking company.

George Tarasek owns Tara's Tailor Shop in Plains. His cash register was stolen and so was his sense of security. Word of the arrest was welcome news. "They have to catch this gentleman because every day that goes by the first thing you think of, is he coming back for more or did he find this was an easy touch, is he coming back," he asked.

Pacewicz is locked up unable to post $100,000 bail. We’re told this investigation is not over yet. There may be others involved and more arrests are likely.