Springdale officer promoted to detective after thorough work solving burglaries

A Springdale police officer was recognized — and promoted — thanks to his work solving burglaries in the borough.

Officer Jon Koprivnikar was recognized by council during its meeting Tuesday, March 19. Council also promoted Koprivnikar to detective.

“We had a rash of business burglaries within town,” police Chief Derek Dayoub said. “Jon’s taken extensive schooling for investigative work, and he was able to use that schooling to solve the burglaries, develop suspects and apprehend and get arrest warrants.”

Dayoub was referring to felony burglary charges filed against Trevon Lamont Wilson of Arnold in connection to break-ins at Glen’s Custard in November and January.

The charges against Wilson — two felony counts of burglary and criminal trespassing, and misdemeanors and summaries of theft and criminal mischief — were held for court. Wilson is being held at the Allegheny County Jail, and his formal arraignment in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court is scheduled for April 10.

A second arrest is pending, Dayoub said.

Borough police were dispatched Nov. 15 for reports of a robbery at Glen’s Custard, according to a criminal complaint. Koprivnikar viewed surveillance footage from Glen’s, which showed Wilson opening a sliding window at the miniature golf course side of the building and stealing a cash register, the complaint said.

Koprivnikar tested the fingerprints left on the window and connected them to Wilson through the county’s crime lab, the complaint said.

On Jan. 8, Springdale police were called back to Glen’s for another reported robbery, the complaint said. The back window of the business was smashed.

Viewing business surveillance footage again, Koprivnikar watched Wilson break open the back window and take the cash register, the complaint said. Koprivnikar again used forensic tests to link Wilson as a suspect.

“Officer Koprivnikar’s actions and determination show the importance of strategic law enforcement skills utilized to solve these complex cases,” Mayor Joel Anderson said.