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Jury selection slow-going in Fairmount Twp. homicide

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Luzerne County Human Services Division holding free event featuring baseball great Darryl Strawberry

<p>UNION TWP. &#8212; State police refiled burglary-related charges against a Plymouth man, accused of ransacking a house owned by an employee at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.</p><p>A trail camera set up inside the house on Michaels Road recorded Michael G. Briggs, 32, burglarizing the residence three times between July 24 and July 28, 2016, according to court records.</p><p>The homeowner allegedly recognized Briggs on the video as Briggs had been jailed at the county correctional facility.</p><p>It is the second time Briggs has been charged with ransacking the house.</p><p>Briggs was initially charged in September 2017. After several continuances for the preliminary hearing, the charges were dismissed on Jan. 23, court records say.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>The homeowner told state police he went away on vacation on July 24, 2016, and returned home July 29, discovering his house had been burglarized. He suspected the suspect entered his house after removing an air conditioner.</p><p>A trail camera in a bedroom recorded Briggs, the complaint says.</p><p>The homeowner, an employee at the county prison, recognized Briggs as Briggs had been previously incarcerated.</p><p>State police said the trail camera recorded Briggs inside the house at 3:08 p.m. on July 24, 2:11 p.m. on July 25, and 2 a.m. on July 28, 2016, the complaint says.</p><p>The homeowner listed multiple video game systems and games, jewelry, ammunition, a cellphone, power tools, a digital camera, frozen food and cash were stolen from his residence.</p><p>Two closet doors and a exterior basement door were damaged, state police said.</p><p>Briggs was arraigned Sunday by District Judge Matthew Christopher in Shickshinny on three counts each of burglary and criminal trespass, and one count each of theft and criminal mischief. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Michael-Briggs-WB-FB.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Briggs </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Michael-Briggs-WB-FB.jpg</photo0><caption0>Briggs </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Police: Trail camera records burglary suspect inside Union Twp. house