Twenty-three and counting.

That’s the number of homes that 31-year-old David A. Morrow of Slippery Rock has been charged with burglarizing — so far — just in the past two months.

But investigators for police departments in Butler County aren’t predicting the final tally.

Morrow apparently isn’t done talking.

“He’s been extremely cooperative,” Butler police Capt. David Dalcamo admitted.

Soon after being caught at a Walker Avenue duplex in Butler about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, the alleged serial burglar opened up.

He waived his right to speak to an attorney and copped to 23 break-ins in the city. Police have the confession on videotape.

At one point police showed him a list of unsolved burglaries that fit a similar pattern.

“He picked out which ones he did,” Dalcamo said.

Later, authorities said, he willingly sat down with a Butler Township detective and state police criminal investigators and owned up to still other burglaries. He even agreed to drive around with police and point out houses he hit, according to investigators.

Butler Township police Lt. Matthew Pearson said Morrow is a suspect in “at least 17” break-ins across the township. His department expects to file its cases soon.

State police investigators did not immediately return a telephone call this morning.

“His stated motive was an addiction to illegal narcotics, specifically heroin,” Dalcamo said of Morrow.

Police believe Morrow targeted homes across Butler County that had “For Sale” signs in front.

“He knew those houses would be vacant,” said Lt. James Hollobaugh, who is leading the city police investigation. “He was looking to steal copper pipe and wiring to scrap.”

He swapped the metal for quick cash, primarily at a Slippery Rock Township scrap yard, which would fuel his heroin habit.

Morrow acknowledged he was using up to 20 bags of heroin a day, investigators said.

But despite his alleged junkie lifestyle, Morrow remained both prolific and methodical. Police said they seized evidence that suggested research aided Morrow’s criminal enterprise.

“A blue memo notebook with writing was found in his car,” Dalcamo said. “He was using it as a reference.”

Investigators believe Morrow would drive around looking for houses that had “For Sale” signs on their lawns. He logged the addresses and descriptions of those homes in the notebook.

When the time was right, usually at night, he would return and strike, police said.

Since November, authorities suspect, Morrow began racking up break-in after break-in throughout the county. His success frustrated police.

But like the repeat burglar, investigators did not stop. Different departments teamed up and reached out to scrap yards to develop leads. Morrow’s name only recently popped up.

“He’s been a suspect for over a week,” Dalcamo said Wednesday.

Last week, Butler city and township and state police investigators had a joint meeting to discuss their findings. They were closing in on their suspect.

Meanwhile, Morrow pressed forward, authorities said.

He showed up before dawn Wednesday at a duplex in the 400 block of Walker Avenue and allegedly forced his way inside the vacant upstairs apartment.

The elderly tenant in the downstairs apartment heard a noise and thought someone was in her basement. She called 911 at 4:25 a.m.

Hollobaugh and Butler Patrolman Nathan Shulik got there and found that the house had a Realtor lock box. They forced their way in.

Moments later, according to court documents, the officers spotted the suspect on the roof. Within arm’s reach was his duffel bag with cutting tools.

Police eventually pulled Morrow back in through the window. A second duffel at the scene contained about 28 pounds of copper baseboard water line that police believe Morrow had removed from the home.

Back at the police station, Morrow subsequently offered up his detailed confession.

He admitted to 23 home burglaries and copper thefts dating back to November. Police corroborated the confession, in part, using some of the 40 stolen water meters that Morrow had previously scrapped.

Hollobaugh said the serial numbers of 16 of those meters showed they had been installed at Butler homes that Morrow claimed he burglarized.

District Judge Pete Shaffer arraigned Morrow on 23 counts each of burglary, trespass and theft. He also is charged with receiving stolen property, possessing instruments of crime and resisting arrest.

“He was lucky for a while,” Pearson said of the defendant, “but when you keep going back to the well you’re going to get caught.”

Morrow remains in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail.