Staff writer
South Strabane Township police said Monday that a bench warrant has been issued for two people who failed to appear earlier this month for sentencing in Washington County Court.
Patricia Harris, 59, and Alfred Brown, 52, both of whom had a last known address of 316 Fielding Drive, Pittsburgh, entered an open plea of guilty to theft charges on Jan. 23 before Judge John DiSalle.
The two, a brother and sister, were accused of stealing almost $100,000 from an uncle entrusted to their care. Police said they misappropriated the money that was supposed to pay for the care of their 90-year-old uncle at Hawthorne Woods, South Strabane. Harris had power of attorney for the uncle, who suffered from dementia.
Harris' name had been added to the accounts in 2005. She drained the uncle's accounts, using the money for gambling, personal purchases and vacations, police said. Brown, who lived with his sister, helped her spend the money.
Police said they gambled more than 120 times at area casinos including Mountaineer Park and Wheeling Downs. They also made a dozen trips to Atlantic City, gambling at Taj Mahal, Showboat and Caesar's casinos.
They entered the plea and were to be sentenced May 1 after a presentence investigation.
The district attorney's office has approved a nationwide extradition for the pair.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call township police Detective John Bruner at 724-225-8111.