A Schuylkill County man who was arrested last month after allegedly parking a stolen car across the street from the Mahanoy City Police station has now been charged with the burglary in which that vehicle was taken.
Joseph Zendrosky, 47, of Shenandoah, is facing felony charges of burglary, criminal trespass, and multiple counts of theft following an investigation by the Frackville Police Dept.
Zendrosky reportedly admitted during a prison interview on Dec. 8 that he forced his way into a home on S. Third St. in Frackville, stole a vehicle, and took various other items.
The investigation began on Friday, Nov. 29, when Frackville police were dispatched to that Third St. home. The caretaker of the property reported that a black 2017 Chevrolet Cruze belonging to her sister, who is currently incarcerated, was missing.
Roughly 10 minutes after police cleared the initial call, they were dispatched back to the same home for a reported burglary. The caretaker had discovered the back door partially open and a storm window removed from the basement.
Inside, officers found that the home had been rummaged through, with items thrown on the floor and a sword moved to the living room couch. Police said the home had been in order as of Wednesday, Nov. 26.
A list of stolen items provided to police included the vehicle, a mountain bike, a Lenovo laptop, a jewelry box, PIAA athletic awards, and cash, including silver dollars and $2 bills.
Police used license plate readers to track the stolen vehicle’s movements. The system detected the car near the residence on the evening of Nov. 28 and later in Shenandoah on the morning of Nov. 29.
Surveillance footage from Burger King in Shenandoah reportedly showed the vehicle in the drive-thru, where an employee positively identified Zendrosky as the driver.
The vehicle was recovered the following evening, Nov. 30, by Mahanoy City Police, after Zendrosky had reportedly parked it right across the street from their station.
When taken into custody in Mahanoy City, Zendrosky was allegedly found with the key fob to the stolen Cruze in his pocket. A search of his backpack revealed a second car key belonging to another vehicle owned by the victim and the missing jewelry box.
At the time of his initial arrest in Mahanoy City, police said Zendrosky claimed he received the vehicle from an unnamed friend in Girardville who told him it was stolen.
However, during subsequent interviews at the Schuylkill County Prison, Zendrosky’s story changed.
Zendrosky reportedly admitted on Dec. 8 to forcing open the basement window to enter the Frackville home. He allegedly confessed to moving the sword, taking the items, and stealing the vehicle.
Police said all missing items have been recovered except for the Lenovo laptop.
Zendrosky was arraigned Friday morning before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli on felony charges of burglary and theft as well as more misdemeanor charges of theft and criminal trespass.
Tarantelli set bail at $75,000 and sent Zendrosky back to Schuylkill County Prison. He was already in jail on the previous charge of receiving stolen property and was being held on 10% of $5,000 bail in that case.
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