Stolen GPS leads investigators to owner
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

A Goldfinch Court resident didn't know his garage had been burglarized until Amherst Police were at his front door with the alleged stolen property.

The investigation started at 12:50 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21 on Thamesford Court, when police received a suspicious person call.

"The witness had seen two people out walking around a house, then get into a vehicle and drive off," Assistant Chief Timothy Green said.

Officer David Schneider located the vehicle in question a short distance from the site of the report. Upon speaking to the three occupants, the officer noticed tools and a flashlight in the car, leading him to question their use.

The suspects were later identified as the suspicious persons on the property.

Patrol then checked the house in question and reported pry marks on the windows and doors, signs of an attempted break in.

During the investigation, police recovered stolen property, including a GPS unit, leading police to Goldfinch Court.

Green said the item hadn't been reported stolen, but the homeowner confirmed the garage had been broken into. Also missing was thousands of dollars in computer equipment.

The three suspects were taken into custody and charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy and possession of stolen property.

Arrested were, Mikhail Lepa, 17; Timofey Lepa, 19; and Shivendra Malik, 20, all of North French Road.

Additional charges were pending.