WORTH TWP, Mercer County — Zachery Allen Mellring was held for court last week on charges tied to two burglaries.

Mellring, 20, of Grove City is charged with criminal contempt to commit burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property for the Oct. 30 burglary of the Grove City Burger King at 1400 W. Main St.

The charges also are tied to a burglary Oct. 23 at a South Broad Street apartment, where a python was taken.

Mellring's hearing was before District Judge Lawrence Silvis.

According to a police affidavit, Mellring admitted to police his part in the burglaries, and identified two other men who also participated. However, police have not charged either of the other men.

The complaint states Mellring acted as a lookout while the other two men burglarized the restaurant and apartment. According to the affidavit, $2,466.97 was taken from the restaurant; and the snake, a sword and scabbard, knife set and digital camera were taken from the apartment.

There was no force used to enter the restaurant building, according to the affidavit. An alarm code was used to disable the alarm, and the safe was also opened without force.

Police interviewed Burger King assistant manager Emily Hindman, who lives in the same apartment complex as the two men. According to the affidavit, Hindman said her keys and safe combination were in her purse, and Mellring told police that one of the men had Hindman's key.

Hindman also told police that people who have visited her apartment may have known the alarm code, according to the affidavit.

On Nov. 7, Grove City Police Officer William Moretti received a phone message from Mellring's parole officer stating he had the python snake. He then spoke with others who said the snake had been sold at Grove City Agway and Pets. Moretti said workers at the store remembered two people who came in with a python on Oct. 31, where they left the snake.