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HAZLE TWP. — After a suspect in a string of burglaries where only food was taken was captured in a stripping area near his home, he told troopers he was planning to kill himself the “first chance I get,” authorities say.
Brian Michael Rolland, 51, of 445 Hillside Drive, is so far charged only with a break-in that occurred the day before he was arrested after a brief foot chase.
But troopers note in court papers all the burglaries occurred within a half-mile or less of Rolland’s home and “there have been no burglaries or attempted burglaries reported” in the weeks since his arrest Feb. 22.
Some of the homes entered were within view of Rolland’s own residence, which court records show is now in the foreclosure process.
Due to the break-in spree that stretched from early January to Feb. 21, residents of the small village of Milnesville were on edge. Neighbors formed their own Facebook group to share information, barricaded their doors, and some even started patrolling the streets by themselves at night.
Police say they identified Rolland as a suspect partially based on boot prints left in snow outside one residence that led back to Rolland’s own home.
Similar boot prints also showed up at other scenes, troopers noted.
In fact, when police executed a search warrant at Rolland’s house after his arrest, one trooper was seen comparing the sole of a boot to prints in the snow in Rolland’s front yard.
It was during that search of his property that troopers found in his garage a vehicle with a “ventilation hose running from the exhaust into the cabin,” a complaint says.
Based on that discovery, Rolland was asked if he was suicidal.
That’s when he admitted he was depressed and planning to take his own life, according to court papers.
Rolland was involuntarily committed to a hospital for a psychological evaluation and that’s why he wasn’t arraigned on the burglary-related counts until Monday.
Police also noted Rolland is “known to be a drug user and recently lost two jobs because of his drug habits.”
Here are more details on the burglary spree:
• On Jan. 17, a home at 468 Hillside Drive was entered and the intruder took from the refrigerator a gallon of milk, a gallon of iced tea, and 1-pound of ground meat.
• On Jan. 22, a burglary was reported at 88 E. 37th St., where someone had stolen about $50 of canned food. That break-in is believed to have occurred in the weeks prior but was not immediately discovered.
• Also on Jan. 22, a forced entry was reported at 440 Hillside, Apt. 3, but nothing was found to be missing.
• On Jan. 24, police responded to 76 E. 37th St. for a burglar alarm and found a smashed door window.
• In another burglary Jan. 25, missing items included bread, eggs, bacon, two frozen pizzas, a bag of frozen chicken nuggets and a box of frozen pretzels.
• Also on Jan. 25, a victim reported a burglary from sometime Jan. 4 or 5 at 103 E. 37th St. The actor stole a case of Capri Sun drinks, Rice Krispie treats and a frozen pizza. “The victim failed to report the burglary as she could not believe someone would have come into her residence and stole food.” But she did call police after learning of other nearby break-ins.
• When troopers went to speak to Rolland on Feb. 3, he ran out his back door while they knocked on his front door. Rolland was caught running away by video cameras on the exterior of a plumbing shop that is adjacent to his home.
• On Feb. 5 and 11, attempted burglaries were reported at 457 Hillside Drive and damaged was observed on a door jamb.
• On Feb. 6, a burglary occurred at 45 Schiavo Drive. Frozen fish and lobster were among the items taken. In that break-in, video surveillance captured a man matching Rolland’s description forcing his way into the homeowner’s side door.
• On Feb. 11, an attempted break-in occurred at 103 E. 37th St., Apt. A. Fresh pry marks were visible on the door. In addition, a rubber glove, T-shirt, and metal stake were left near the residence.
• At the same apartment Feb. 21, an intruder left boot prints on the wooden floor of the kitchen that matched prints from other burglaries. Some of the same food taken that time, including Jell-O, Kool-Aid Jammers and frozen waffles, were found in a white garbage bag that Rolland had when captured the next morning.
Rolland is facing felony counts for burglary and criminal trespassing. He is also charged with theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.
He was denied bail. Court records note: “Defendant will not obey bail conditions.”
Rolland had previously been out on bail for a felony burglary case from 2017 in Weatherly, Carbon County.
Records show he’s facing a trial in that case set to begin April 1.