CENTER TWP — State police believe they have solved a rash of recent burglaries that have plagued a number of businesses on Route 8.

Troopers on the watch Thursday for the burglar nabbed Donald J. Stewart, 33, of Center Township, who was on his way to strike again, according to court documents.

Stewart remains in the Butler County Prison on charges he broke into the A Bella Salon earlier this month.

However, he is suspected of burglarizing five other stores — some more than once — in the same business corridor that includes the 1600 and 1700 blocks of North Main Street Extension, also known as Route 8, Cpl. Robert Donaldson said Monday.

He noted that police expected to charge Stewart with the other break-ins “in the next two to three days.”

Along with the A Bella Salon, he is a suspect in burglaries at A-1 Twice Loved Appliances, China Gourmet, Jiffy Mart, Prima Capelli Salon, and Rogers Dairy Queen.

The break-ins happened between June 29 and July 2, police said. Some of the stores were burglarized more than once.

“He was looking for items he could get quick money for,” Donaldson said of Stewart. “He took money from some of the stores.”

Investigators suspect Stewart's drug habit was the motive for the crime spree.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton arraigned Stewart on charges of burglary, trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, possessing an instrument of crime and criminal mischief, in the A Bella Salon break-in.

He is in prison on $50,000 bail.