The Colonie Police Department have arrested a Niskayuna man they say burglarized numerous Colonie businesses over the past few weeks.
Mark S. Skahill, 40, of 933 Ash Tree Lane, was arrested on Friday, July 16, and charged with two counts of burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the third degree (both felonies) and two counts of petit larceny. The charges were made in connection with two burglaries of the Subway store at 155 Wolf Road on June 28 and July 11, from which video surveillance images were released. Further charges are expected, police said.
Skahill was on parole from burglary, according to police. The arrest was made after area media distributed the surveillance photos, after which the Colonie Police Department received an anonymous tip that led police to Skahill.
Police previously said a serial burglar was suspected in as many as 12 burglaries dating back to November of 2009. All the burglaries involved the suspect prying exterior doors to gain entry then stealing from the cash register between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Colonie police said a serial burglar was suspected in the following burglaries:
Nov. 26, 2009: Chipotle Restaurant, 2 Wade Road
June 17, 2010: Ming’s Wok Restaurant, 1814 Central Avenue, and Xin Fu Restaurant, 1186 Troy-Schenectady Road:
June 19, 2010: Honey Garden Restaurant, 660 Loudon Road, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant and Maestro Barber Shop both at 952 Troy-Schenectady Road, and Ario’s Pizza, 1177 Troy-Schenectady Road
June 23, 2010: SAS Comfort Shoes 580 Loudon Road
June 28 and July 11, 2010: Edible Arrangements and Subway both at 155 Wolf Road
Edible Arrangements and Subway both at 155 Wolf Road
Skahill was arraigned in Colonie Town Court on Friday.`