KINGSTON -- An 89-year-old woman had money stolen from Christmas cards and police think they have the man who did it.
He is no stranger to crime because he has been accused of theft before.
On his way into a magistrate's office in Kingston, Dustan Conniff seemed almost nonchalant about the crimes he is accused of committing.
"Why would you steal money from an old lady's Christmas cards?
"Ho ho."
Detectives in Kingston said that around Christmas Day, Conniff broke into the apartment of Mary Miles, 89, and took more than $200 out of Christmas cards she planned to give her family.
Police said he also stole more than $2,000 worth of jewelry. But they said Conniff also left something behind: blood where he cut himself while breaking in the door.
DNA from that evidence led police to Conniff, who was already locked up on charges related to crimes including church burglaries in the borough.
"I am happy they caught the guy. There is a lot of bad people out here and it is a good community, so to see that they caught him is good," said Erika Maldonado of Kingston.
On his way out of court, Conniff appeared to change his tune and offered up an apology of sorts.
"I just want to make it known that I had no knowledge that there was an older senior in the house," Conniff said.
But neighbors in Kingston said while they are glad he's under arrest, they aren't convinced that Coniff is sincere.
"I think he did it because she was an old lady and she was helpless. If it was someone else, he would not have gotten away," said Prachi Majamundar of Kingston.
Coniff is due back in court August 5 on these charges. He is also still going through the court process on the other charges against him. He remains locked up in Luzerne County.
