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Burglar who showers and cooks pleads guilty
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Judge Lou D’Apolito told a man appearing before him Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to plead guilty to charges he was breaking into homes on the South Side and cooking and showering in them before taking whatever he could grab that he wants to know why he left the homes in such a mess.
The judge told Jacob Merchant, 33, he hopes a presentence investigation done before Merchant’s Aug. 16 sentencing can shed light on the matter, but the judge added he also wants to hear from Merchant himself.
That, however, proved to be difficult at times Wednesday because Merchant has a severe abscessed tooth that makes it difficult for him to speak.
“When we get to the sentencing, I want to find out why you did all this stuff,” Judge D’Apolito said.
“To get high,” Merchant answered.
Prosecutors are recommending a four-year sentence.
Police arrested Merchant on Jan. 28, and he pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and two counts of breaking and entering for a series of break-ins on the South Side in January.
Merchant was breaking into homes where people were not home. He would use their kitchens to cook meals for himself, then use their showers to clean up. The homes he was in, however, were far from clean, as detectives said he left them a mess and also took whatever he could carry.
The case baffled investigators, but they were able to track Merchant down with tips from South Side patrol officers and also from the egg cartons that were left behind in the homes that were broken into. That brand of eggs was sold in only one store on the South Side, and when detectives found out what store it was, they were able to spot Merchant buying them on video surveillance. He was arrested shortly after he was questioned by police.
Detectives said Merchant has a lengthy criminal record for similar offenses and he makes a habit of using kitchens and bathrooms because he is homeless and is often looking to get out of the cold. They said he also takes pills, money and anything he can carry.
In April 2016, residents in the Hilton Avenue area caught Merchant and held him for police after he was suspected of taking food from one home at least four times within a week. He was charged with misdemeanor theft and receiving stolen property in those cases and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Merchant asked if he is granted early release if he can be sent somewhere to get treatment for his drinking problem.
The judge said he would consider that, but he also chastised Merchant, saying that it should be his responsibility to get his drinking under control.