Man sentenced for South Hills burglary spree
Richard Cavanaugh pleaded guilty in December to a laundry list of charges stemming from 10 burglaries across Allegheny County, leading Common Pleas Judge Lester Nauhaus to sentence him to 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison. Judge Neuhaus tacked on 1-2 years at the March 5 hearing for violating conditions of a previous drug case. He was also ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution to victims.
According to the criminal complaint, Cavanaugh, 40, no address listed, attempted to rob or took items from locations including Castle Shannon, Mt. Lebanon, South Park and Bethel Park. The robberies, which started in October 2012 to feed a heroin habit, lasted until November 2013. He stole items including gold, jewelry and computer electronics that were sold directly to drug dealers or in pawn shops.
Cavanaugh entered both residences and business locations in the year-long burglary spree.