Pair arrested in Ellsworth beer distributor heist
An Ellsworth man and his girlfriend were arrested Saturday by state police for their respective roles in the burglary that morning of a beer distributor about a quarter-mile from their home.
Patrick Oreski, 36, of 1 Spruce St., is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and criminal mischief in the break-in at Beer Here Distributor, 1000 Almond Road. Brittany M. Morris, 26, also of 1 Spruce, is charged with receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence.
Police said surveillance video reportedly shows Oreski ramming his blue Jeep Liberty into the side door of the business about 4:25 a.m. The door flew off the hinges, landing inside on the floor of the business.
Oreski then allegedly entered the building and reportedly took 30 to 40 cartons of cigarettes, putting them inside two large bags. He also allegedly took cash from the register before going into the cooler and stealing beer. Oreski also reportedly left the cooler door open, causing the compressor to continuously run until the owner arrived at the business in response to the alarm.
Police said they recognized the vehicle from past encounters and went to Oreski’s home. Troopers found the vehicle with damage to the right side of the front fender. Police knocked but there was no response though it appeared someone looked out a second-floor window.
Troopers obtained a search warrant and returned to the home that afternoon. When no one responded and a landlord’s key would not work, Trooper Frank Lewis broke out a door window and opened the door. Oreski and Harris were seen on the second floor.
Trooper Sarah Teagarden removed insulation inside an attic closet, finding several packs of cigarettes. As she removed more of the material, she found additional packs of cigarettes. Also found behind the insulation were several bottles of cold beer.
Police said Oreski will face charges in an earlier burglary at the Medicine Shoppe in Bentleyville after police reviewed surveillance and determined he was the alleged culprit. State police in Belle Vernon will file those burglary charges at a later date.
Both were arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward and are in Washington County jail on $35,000 bond. They have a preliminary hearing before District Judge Curtis Thompson July 29.