A 50-year-old man from Ephrata, Lancaster County, is accused of burglarizing two homes in Upper Saucon Township and using funds obtained from the break-ins to purchase drugs, including cocaine and heroin.
Channel 69 News reported on WFMZ.com Thursday that Joseph A. Bradish is charged with committing a burglary at a home on Suter Road near Lutron Monday evening and also with another burglary that occurred on nearby Passer Road on Tuesday afternoon.
In the Suter Road break-in, Bradish allegedly stole about $1,000 worth of Rigid power tools, while in the Passer Road burglary he is accused of stealing cash, a pill bottle, credit cards, a purse and a safety deposit box, the news station reported.
According to online court records, Bradish is now charged with two counts of felony burglary, two counts of felony criminal trespassing and the following misdemeanors: receiving stolen property (two counts), theft (two counts) and criminal attempt (one count).
Records indicate that following a preliminary arraignment held before District Judge Daniel Trexler Wednesday, Bradish was committed to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $50,000 straight bail.
A preliminary hearing for Bradish is scheduled to be held Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Trexler, according to records.
Court records also indicate that Bradish is charged in a separate burglary case out of Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County.
According to a criminal court docket sheet filed Dec. 5, Pennsylvania State Police at Bethlehem have charged him with felony burglary, felony criminal trespassing, felony theft, felony receiving stolen property, misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor receiving stolen property in the Heidelberg Township case.
Note: Individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.