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Three arraigned in theft of tank

2 min read

Three people were arraigned last week on charges filed by state police stemming from the theft of a tank from a Canton Township business.

Louis R. Phillips, Jr., 37, of 205 Roosevelt St., North Franklin Township, and Crystal R. Montano, 32, and Joseph Earl Gorby, 27, both of 619 Best Ave., Canton, were arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

The three are accused of stealing a 16-foot tank valued at $1,500 from the parking lot of USA Compression. An employee told state police he saw the tank being loaded by two men into a pickup truck parked in the lot between Pennsylvania Avenue and Chartiers Street. He yelled at them to stop, but they fled in the truck. The witness also told police there was a woman who appeared to be serving as a lookout.

Police later received tips that Phillips, Montano and Gorby were involved in the theft. Police interviewed Montano in January. She allegedly admitted to being with the two men but said she got out of the truck when she found out their plans. She told police the tank was sold in Canonsburg.

Phillips was arrested 10 days after the theft of the tank after he and another man allegedly burglarized Interstate Contractors Supply on Jefferson Avenue in Canton. He is in Washington County jail awaiting trial on burglary charges filed by state police in connection with that incident, as well as three other cases pending against him, including charges stemming from a June 2014 robbery. Mark set bond on the new charges at $50,000.

Montano and Gorby were released on $50,000 unsecured bonds. All three face a preliminary hearing before Mark.

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