A 24-year-old West Virginia man was taken into custody outside Pittsburgh on Monday, hours after authorities say he carried out a series of crimes across two Ohio counties that included stealing a funeral home van and committing an armed robbery.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Detective Capt. Adam Fisher said authorities located the man around 10:30 a.m. in Imperial, Pennsylvania, after Flock license plate readers detected the stolen vehicle.
The arrest brought an end to a series of incidents that investigators say began before daybreak in Tuscarawas County.
According to Fisher, the man told authorities he broke into a Tuscarawas County home and stole a firearm and other property.
Investigators say he later entered the RK Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, where he allegedly took a van belonging to the business. Fisher said the man also took clothing that made him appear to be associated with the funeral home.
Deputies learned of the stolen van around 4:45 a.m.
Authorities say the man then traveled into neighboring Harrison County.
Less than an hour after the van was reported stolen, investigators say it was used during an armed robbery at a gas station in Scio. The robbery occurred shortly before 5:30 a.m., according to Fisher.
The search for the vehicle eventually extended into Pennsylvania, where license plate reader technology detected the van in the Imperial area, west of Pittsburgh.
Authorities there located the suspect and took him into custody.
Fisher said the man later admitted his involvement in the crimes while speaking with authorities.
His identity has not yet been released as investigators work to obtain warrants and file formal charges.
Charges are expected in both Tuscarawas and Harrison counties.
It is not yet clear when the suspect will be returned to Ohio. Fisher said the extradition process could be relatively quick or take several days, depending on court proceedings in Pennsylvania and whether the man faces charges there.
The investigation is continuing.
