Guilty Plea From Man Believed To Be Behind Ring Of Copper Thefts, Arsons In Montco, Delco
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A man has pleaded guilty in Montgomery County court to multiple felony counts, in connection with a string of copper thefts and arson in homes that were in foreclosure in Montgomery and Delaware counties.
37-year-old Kevin Colosimo entered an open guilty plea to conspiracy to commit burglary and arson, conspiracy to commit burglary, and four counts of burglary.
According to charging documents, Colosimo was the ringleader of the group which found listings online of homes that were unoccupied, in foreclosure or part of an estate. They stole copper, and set fires in the homes causing, prosecutors say, causing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.
Colosimo's defense attorney, Justin Boehret, says his client has dealt with mental health and drug and alcohol addiction:
"Which underlie this case and we intend to present that evidence at sentencing, and I feel that is played a large role in the basis for this entire criminal episode."
The other alleged members of the group have court dates coming up.