Published: November 25, 2009 09:53 pm      

Mini mart manager held for trial on theft charges

Police roundup

JOHNSTOWN — A Johnstown area woman will face Cambria County Court action on charges she stole $7,016 in cash and merchandise over a seven-month period while she was manager of the Honey Bear Mini Mart, 3100 Elton Road in Richland Township.

Karen Lee Vinglish, 53, of the 2200 block of Kring Street, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge Max Pavlovich of Richland Township.

She is free on bail.

Township police said in a criminal complaint that the thefts took place between June 1, 2006, and Jan. 5, 2007.

In other police-related news:



Suspect waives hearing in theft of wheel rims

SALIX – A South Fork man charged in connection with theft of wheel rims and possessing a stolen motorcycle will answer criminal charges in Cambria County court.

Jason A. Farquhar, 32, of Rockville Road, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Rick Varner of Salix.

Conemaugh Township police said Farquhar is accused of stealing four wagon-wheel rims from the bed of a 1986 Chevrolet pickup truck and then selling them. The rims, valued at $1,227, were owned by Conemaugh Township police Chief Daniel Freiwald.

Farquhar was charged with theft from a motor vehicle, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

He also was charged with receiving stolen property after police said he was found in possession of a stolen 1999 Harley-Davidson Fatboy motorcycle.

The cycle had been reported stolen from the St. Michael American Legion and was found in Farquhar’s garage.

Farquhar was returned to the Cambria County Prison, where he is being held on $40,000 bond.



City man accused of passing phony bill

VINCO – A Johnstown area man was charged with forgery Tuesday after Jackson Township police said he passed a phony $50 bill.

Bradley J. Wagner, 32, of Balsam Street, is alleged to have photocopied both sides of a $50 bill and then pasted the two copies together. He passed the bogus bill on to a woman to whom he owned money.

Wagner was arraigned by District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi of Vinco and was freed after posting 10 percent of his $5,000 bond.



Man pleads guilty to federal drug charges

A Johnstown man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to violating federal narcotics laws.

Shameek Spicer, 25, of the Coopersdale Homes, pleaded guilty to three counts Monday before U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Valkovci Jr. told the court that from January 2007 to August 2007, Spicer and five co-defendants possessed and conspired to distribute more than 3.5 ounces of heroin and more than 5 grams of crack cocaine.

Spicer also distributed cocaine and heroin on July 28, 2007.

Gibson set sentencing for March 25.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Cambria County Drug Task Force and Johnstown police.



Suspect indicted in cocaine distribution

A Johnstown resident has been indicted on a charge of distribution of cocaine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

Brian Hill, 39, of the 800 block of Bruce Street, distributed less than 1 pound of cocaine on Sept. 30, 2008, authorities said. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Valkovci Jr. presented the case to the grand jury.



Man held for court on shoplifting, assault

A Johnstown man will face Cambria County court action on charges he shoplifted

$27 worth of steaks from a West End supermarket, then assaulted two employees who confronted him over the theft.

David Eugene Weaver, 49, of the 400 block of Cooper Avenue, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge Michael Musulin of downtown Johns-town. He is free on bail.

Johnstown police said in a criminal complaint that the incident took place Nov. 13 at the Ideal Market in the city’s Oakhurst neighborhood.

When confronted by employees, Weaver pushed two workers and fled the store, the complaint said. He was apprehended nearby on Iron Street.



Woman’s sweet tooth leads to felony charge

Police say a serial shoplifter has taken three sweet steps over the line and now faces a felony charge.

Sonya Mosey, 33, of Tyrone, is jailed on a felony retail theft charge for allegedly stealing three snack cakes worth $4.27 from a Tyrone convenience store on Oct. 27.

Police say she took a Hostess doughnut and two Tastykake items from the store, though she did pay for a soda.

Mosey has been charged with a felony because she has four prior retail theft convictions.

She is awaiting trials on a separate felony retail theft case, a drug charge and public drunkenness.

Mosey was jailed on the newest charge Monday and will face a preliminary hearing Tuesday. Online court records don’t list an attorney for her.



$1,000 stolen from business office

Thieves entered the office building of New Enterprise Concrete, 1715 Waterlevel Road, forced their way into a safe and stole about $1,000 that was inside, state police said. The amount is still being investigated.

The theft took place late Monday or early Tuesday in Somerset Township. The office also was ransacked.



Burglars make off with $4,550 in goods

Burglars entered a camp on Hanging Rock Road near Creekside, Indiana County, and stole numerous items valued at $4,550.

The burglary occurred between Nov. 5 and Friday, state police said.

The victim was Laura L. Bennett, 46, of Ernest.



Scam artists steal widow’s lockbox

Police are looking for scam artists who made off with a lockbox belonging to an 88-year-old widow in southern Somerset County.

Troopers said two men pulled up to the home in the 200 block of Old Forty Road in Addison about 2 p.m. Monday.

They were driving a white pickup with a ladder in the back and told the woman they could insulate her house.

One man was allowed in the house to look around and asked to use the bathroom and for a glass of water.

While the woman was getting the water, police said, the man took the lockbox, which contained personal items of the woman and her late husband, from beneath a desk and left.

The two then drove away.

Police remind residents not to let anyone they do not know into their homes and to ask for identification when they let in someone they are expecting.



Juvenile charged with threatening principal

A minor student faces a charge of disorderly conduct after state police said Laurel Valley High School Principal Wayne Waugh was threatened Nov. 19.

The youth then punched and kicked walls in a school hallway, police said.