This story updated on Oct 22
BETHLEHEM – A long time town highway worker, Mike Vasto, called police at around 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 to report someone breaking a front window of a home at 500 Delaware Ave.
Police responded immediately and spotted the suspect, 45-year-old Michael Rozell of Delmar, running from the residence. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase, and charged with two felonies and a host of misdemeanors.
Superintendent of Highways Brent Meredith said Vasto was in the area and spotted Rozell breaking into the home and immediately called police.
“This is how it’s supposed to work,” Meredith said. “We are out there all the time and we know what is going on so when we see something we report it. We are supposed to work together. We are happy to have helped out the police to make our community a better, safer place.”
Bethlehem EMS was called to the scene to treat Rozell for cuts to his hands and face, presumably from breaking a window to get into the Delaware Avenue home and/or the window of another home on nearby Paxwood Road.
He is charged with a felony for burglarizing the Paxwood Road home, and another felony for attempting to burglarize the Delaware Avenue home. He was also charged with a host of misdemeanors.
Police had calls for four other burglar alarms going off in the general area of the burglaries just prior to the call that led to Rozell’s arrest.
Rozell was sent to the Albany County jail on $50,000 bail.
The photos below are of the crime scene and the arrest made by Bethlehem police. Photos are by Tom Heffernan for spotlightnews.com