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11/24/2009 3:32 AM

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By Kathie O. Warco, Staff writer, kwarco@observer-reporter.com

This article has been read 4381 times.

A former employee of a Peters Township pizza shop and three of his friends were arrested Sunday night after they were caught inside the restaurant by one of the owners wielding a baseball bat.

Charged with burglary and criminal trespass for allegedly burglarizing Harry's Pizza, 4133 Washington Road, were Justin Grabowski, 21, of 852 Bebout Road, Venetia; Jeremy D. Kelly, 18, of 11 Circle Drive, Finleyville; and Veronica Holjencin, 20, and Kylee Coon, 20, both of Clarion.

David Auld, who is one of the owners, told police he was waiting with a baseball bat when Grabowski and the others entered the shop. Grabowski, a former employee, used his key to open the back door.

Auld told police that he and his partner were going through the receipts and noticed sales were down. Some of the receipts had been altered. He called police, asked for additional patrols, and said he would let them know if he was staying inside the shop.

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Auld, armed with the bat, stayed inside and had others watching the outside of the store. He contacted police before he confronted the four.

Grabowski reportedly admitted to police that he stole at least $15,000 in previous burglaries at the shop.

Holjencin was described by police as Grabowski's girlfriend. Coon is her friend. Kelly is also a friend of Grabowski.

Grabowski also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after admitting that a pipe found in Coon's vehicle belonged to him. Holjencin also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana after the suspected drug was found in her possession.

All four were arraigned via video before District Judge Valarie Costanzo and placed in Washington County Jail on $15,000 bond. Kelly has since been released on bond. All four are scheduled for preliminary hearings Dec. 1 before District Judge James Ellis.

Almanac staff writer Terri T. Johnson contributed to this report.

Related articles:

Finleyville store target for robbers

Police investigate gas station holdups


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2 comments

harry's house dressing : 11/24/2009
Hopefully they didn't steal all of harry's house salad dressing. That stuff is really good.

Salad tosser

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crime of the century : 12/1/2009
Seems like a well thought-out plan. I'm shocked that drugs were involved in the lives of these upstanding citizens.

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