Canonsburg teen arrested for theft
A 17-year-old Canonsburg boy was arrested Thursday afternoon by borough police after officers found a stolen gun and police badge while serving a search warrant looking for a stolen American Express card.
Police went to the home at 25 Munnell St. looking for the credit card reported stolen earlier this month by William Gardner, 225 Hooks Lane.
The teen answered the door and was told by officers why they were at his home. The boy told Officer James Eckels they would find two guns and the badge. He claimed he found the items in a duffle bag while walking on Boone Avenue in North Strabane Township, but did not tell his mother he had the items.
One of the guns had been reported stolen to Canonsburg police. The owner of the gun, Cody Rhoades, 219 S. Central Ave., told police July 23 that video surveillance showed three boys approach his vehicle. One of them reached inside, retrieved the gun then fired a shot into the air.
The badge belonged to retired Mt. Lebanon police Lt. Kevin Macken. Macken told police he noticed the badge missing from the console of his vehicle, which had been parked outside his North Strabane Township home.
Also found inside the home were several credit cards with different names, cellphones and a tablet.
Two other 17-year-old boys told police they were with their acquaintance when they went through vehicles parked on Hooks Lane, stealing wallets and phone chargers. A vehicle owned by Jatorrian Ocean Beh also was damaged.
Police Sgt. Don Cross said he believes the second gun also was stolen and is working to trace the owner, who may not realize it is missing.
The boy was charged by Cross in a juvenile allegation with theft, receiving stolen property, theft from a vehicle, minor not to possess a firearm and criminal mischief. The 17-year-old is being detained at the Jefferson County (Ohio) Detention Center.
Cross is continuing his investigation and expects to charge the other two teenagers.
Cross may also charge the boy’s mother. She allegedly used the American Express card to make a purchase at Walmart, Trinity Point, in addition to $5,000 in purchases online at Sam’s Club.