by KYW's Brad Segall

A Lower Merion, Pa. teenager has been arrested and charged with breaking into several homes in his neighborhood and police say he made off with more than $200,000 worth of jewelry.

Lower Merion police say the burglaries began in mid-June, 18 homes in Wynnewood, Gladwyne, and Penn Valley, were broken into during the late morning and early afternoon hours and jewelry was stolen.

Police began canvassing the area and over the weekend, they ran into Brett Bankoff, 19, loitering around a home. District attorney Risa Ferman says the Penn Valley teen was arrested and charged with 10 of the 18 burglaries:

“It was very risky business for him, just entering people’s homes, you never know when you’re going to encounter another person, a dog, the police coming to get you, going down to 22nd and Ridge to pawn off jewelry was just a very dangerous thing for him.”

Police say the investigation is ongoing and more Bankoff could face more charges. He’s free after posting $50,000 bail.