SCRANTON, Pa. — Police in Scranton arrested a man for a series of burglaries in the city spanning several years.
Matthew Husted, 51, of Scranton, was charged Monday for his role in ten burglaries in Scranton.
Husted is accused of burglarizing the 606 Club in South Scranton on two occasions, McGinty's Bar in Green Ridge, Villa Maria Restaurant in West Scranton on two occasions, Lounge Bar in West Scranton on two occasions, American Legion on Birney Avenue, and Eagles Club on Meridian Avenue.
Police say Husted took money from gaming machines inside the businesses.
It was a business owner's nightmare — a break-in on Christmas Eve at Villa Maria in Scranton's west side.
"Good thing I didn't get the door fixed, or he would have smashed it again. So, they got him, and hopefully, he pays for what he did," said owner Joseph Macciocco.
Macciocco installed surveillance cameras after the first break-in and says he caught Husted on camera.
"I turned it over to the cops, and they were watching him, and he just hung himself, so I'm relieved."
Macciocco says this has been a long two years, and he and other business owners have had to make repairs to the damage done — some twice — and he can sleep a little easier now.
"It's like breaking into your house. They invade your privacy. Every time I walked in the door, I could visualize him walking down this hallway and breaking into the machines. It's not a good feeling."
Husted is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief. He is due in court next month.
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