FRANKLIN TWP — A township man is suspected of breaking into a local store last month and stealing eight cartons of cigarettes.

The alleged burglar apparently confided to a former-girlfriend that he did the crime.

State police said the woman subsequently shared with investigators what R. Jarrod Price told her.

Police last week obtained an arrest warrant for Price, 36, on charges of burglary, trespass, theft and criminal mischief.

The defendant is already awaiting trial on charges he threatened the same one-time girlfriend who purportedly identified him for the break-in.

Police suspect Price about 2:30 a.m. Jan. 15 threw a brick through the front door window of the S&S Market on North Road in Franklin Township.

Once inside, he made off with eight cartons of name-brand cigarettes, valued at $590.86, according to court documents.

When police first started the investigation, all they had was surveillance footage showing an unknown suspect wearing a black ski mask, gloves and other dark clothing.

Three days after the break-in, Price got into a dispute with his ex-girlfriend. He allegedly took off in her sister's car, without permission, and threatened his ex-girlfriend's life.

After the woman reported the threat to police, she also advised investigators that Price had confessed to the S&S Market burglary, documents said.

Police on Jan. 20 arrested the defendant in the threat case. He later waived to court charges of terroristic threats, harassment and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail following his arrest but was released Jan. 25 after waiving the charges.

While still investigating the S&S Market break-in, police on Jan. 30 got a search warrant for the ex-girlfriend's home to collect clothes belonging to Price.

Among the items seized, documents said, was a black ski mask and other items that matched the clothing of the burglar in the store surveillance video.