CHICORA — Erik Cupps occasionally shook his head Tuesday, March 10, during a preliminary hearing in which the prosecution detailed evidence allegedly connecting him to burglaries at the Salvation Army in Center Township and Fairground Market in Prospect.

State Trooper Jaden Winterbottom responded to the Salvation Army on Dec. 16 for reports of a burglary. A manager told her someone had forcibly entered the building and safe and stole $1,148.60 and two sets of keys.

Winterbottom secured security footage from the nearby Dollar General and Window World showing a maroon Ford Explorer traveling in the area. She said she tracked the vehicle to its owner, who said Cupps has permission to use the vehicle.

Later, police executed search warrants related to two burglaries at Fairground Market in Prospect. Security cameras there allegedly showed the same maroon vehicle in the area with a man nearby.

Police said the search warrant uncovered clothes Cupps was wearing during the burglaries.

Multiple troopers interviewed Cupps at the scene of the search warrant execution and later at the barracks. Police said Cupps was first detained and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle before the search warrant was executed and he was unwilling to be interviewed at that point.

Police said after the search warrant was executed, Cupps was willing to be interviewed in the patrol vehicle, where he allegedly confessed to the burglaries.

Public defender Patrick Casey highlighted Cupps was not read his Miranda Rights until after the second interview. He was read his rights before his third interview at the state police barracks while on his way there.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton held one felony count each of burglary and criminal trespass and one misdemeanor count each of theft and receiving stolen property for court.

Cupps’ formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 28 in Butler County Common Pleas Court.