Accused Thief Admits to Five Lower Nazareth Break-Ins

An Easton man already in custody after admitting to police he broke into numerous vehicles on College Hill and in Forks Township, has now fessed up to five vehicle break-ins in Lower Nazareth Township.

Terry Patrick Ruser, 38, who was identified in surveillance video by his short stature and backward New England Patriots cap, is also accused of using stolen credit cards to make purchases totaling more than $425, court records say.

Some of those purchases -- mostly $250 in gifts cards from Wawa stores on Easton’s College Hill and in Lower Nazareth -- were detailed when Ruser was arraigned the first time on Sept. 20.

Ruser was arraigned again Oct. 9. That criminal complaint, filed by Forks Township officer Joseph S. Effting, listed an additional $75 in purchases using credit cards he allegedly stole from vehicles in the Forks area.

The newest charges -- for which Ruser was arraigned Oct. 11 -- list an additional $375 in items and cash allegedly stolen from vehicles in a development near Surrey Glen Park:

• On the 400 block of Hemlock Lane, a Sig Sauer P229 pistol.

• On the 300 block of Hillview Drive, two iPods, a pack of cigarettes and $5 worth of change. Total loss: $260

• On the 400 block of Limestone Circle, Ruser allegedly took $5 worth of change.

• On the 4000 block of Graystone Drive, Ruser allegedly took $5 worth of change.

• On the 400 block of Spruce Lane, Ruser allegedly took $5 worth of change and a $100 gift card.

According to court records, police searched Ruser's room at the Hotel Lafayette, 11 N. 4th St. During the search, officers recovered the Sig Sauer P229, which had been reported stolen from a 2012 Ford pick-up truck in Lower Nazareth.

After a discussion with Effting, Det. Gary Hammer of Colonial Regional Police met with Ruser at Northampton County Prison. During their meeting, court records say, Ruser admitted to being in the area on the night the gun was stolen. He also admitted to breaking into several other cars.

At Ruser's Oct. 11 arraignment, he was charged with theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property -- both third-degree felonies -- for allegedly stealing the Sig Sauer P229.

He also was charged with four misdemeanor counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

District Judge Joseph Barner of Lower Nazareth set bail at $5,000. He remains in Northampton County Prison.