PD News

October 28, 2009

Cops: Man with drug addiction stole items

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WEST WYOMING – A man told police a heroin addiction caused him to steal jewelry from a relative’s home last week.

William Skursky, 31, of Gregory Street, West Wyoming, was arraigned Tuesday on charges he rummaged through his relative’s residence and stole jewelry that he sold at a Wilkes-Barre pawn shop.

Skursky was charged with burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Susan and Thomas Skursky reported Thursday that someone rummaged through their Gregory Street residence and stole jewelry.

They checked pawn shops in the area and found that their jewelry was sold by their nephew, William Skursky, at King Tut’s on North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.

Police learned through family that William Skursky lived next door to the residence that was burglarized and has an addiction to heroin.

Skursky was arrested Monday. He told officers that he has a $60-a-day heroin addiction. He was feeling sick from heroin withdrawal on Thursday and needed money, he said.

He confessed to police that he entered the residence when no one was home and attempted to open a safe.

He stole four rings and a necklace that he sold at King Tut’s for $90.

Skursky said he picked the pawn shop in Wilkes-Barre because he did not want to sell the jewelry at a pawn shop closer to the home.

He said he felt bad for stealing the jewelry and called the pawn shop asking to buy the items back.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled on Dec. 2 before District Judge Joseph Carmody in West Pittston.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.

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