Apr 5, 2016 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – A Waynesburg man was convicted in absentia of burglarizing a home in 2014 and running a marijuana growing operation.

Authorities are now searching for Price Gipe, 31, of 297 E. Greene St., after he did not show up for his jury trial March 30.

The two-day trial went on without him and the Greene County jury found him guilty on all charges, which included burglary, theft, criminal mischief, manufacturing a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gipe was charged following the report of a burglary June 29, 2014, a block away from his Greene Street apartment.

According to court documents, the victim and resident of the burglarized apartment saw Gipe and another suspect running from her apartment late that night. When she went inside, she saw her home was ransacked and about $600 worth of property was either stolen or damaged, according to court documents.

When police later searched Gipe’s apartment, they found 17 plants, fans, grow lights and instructions for how to grow it, court documents indicate.

Police said Gipe allegedly left town to avoid police, according to court documents, and there is a bench warrant out for his arrest.

“I was pleased with the work of the jury in taking a good look at all of the evidence in order to render a good decision,” Greene County Assistant District Attorney Christina DeMarco said.