Men accused of 37 break ins around WNY

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Three men from Cheektowaga are now connected to more than three dozen break-ins in a crime spree that began in October and targeted homes and businesses.

Police say 23-year-old Kevin Zimmerman and his brother 29-year-old Jeffrey Zimmerman, as well as their apartment-mate 26-year-old Alfred Tatman, are accused of 37 break-ins in Amherst, Williamsville, Akron, Alden, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Newstead and West Seneca.

Amherst Asst. Police Chief Charles Cohen said, "This is one of the most intense crime sprees in the shortness of the time span and the number of burglaries that occurred."

Kevin Zimmerman had already been arrested by Cheektowaga Police for attempted burglary. His brother Jeffrey is in custody in Amherst and police say Tatman is making arrangements to surrender to Amherst Police. Sources tell News 4 all three were breaking into homes and businesses to support a heroin addiction.

"A lot of these small business incurred tremendous amounts of damage and the value of the things taken was often just the start up change in the cash till," said Asst. Chief Cohen.