Police: Sisters were stealing ‘for the fun of it’
Two sisters from West Virginia reportedly told South Strabane Township police they were stealing for the fun of it after they were arrested Wednesday afternoon at Tanger Outlets.
Gabrielle E. Dean, 24, and Michaelann F. Dean, 22, were taken into custody about 12:40 p.m. after police were called to the outlets by an assistant general manager who told officers the women were in a maroon sport utility vehicle in the parking lot.
When Officer Carmine Molinaro pulled up behind the vehicle, he said he could see Michaelann Dean with a hypodermic needle in her hand getting ready to inject suspected heroin. There also was a spoon in the vehicle’s console, police said.
Molinaro said he asked her to get out and asked her where the merchandise was, and she told him it was in the vehicle. Police were given permission to search the vehicle and said they found 23 items valued at $1,056 that had been stolen from several stores.
Gabrielle Dean was caught after she ran out of American Eagle. Police said they found items valued at $209.75 that reportedly were stolen from the store in her purse, along with a pair of wire-cutting pliers. She allegedly told police she and her sister were “taking items for the fun of it.”
The two were arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller. Both are charged with retail theft and conspiracy. Gabrielle Dean also is charged with possessing instruments of a crime and criminal mischief. Michaelann Dean is charged with possession of heroin and paraphernalia. They were released from Washington County jail Thursday morning after each posted $5,000 bond. They are scheduled for a March 22 preliminary hearing before Weller.
South Strabane police charged several others with retail theft this week after they allegedly stole from township businesses. The charges are being sent by summons from Weller’s office.
Samantha J. Falkenstine, 21, of West Newton, was charged Tuesday with retail theft and conspiracy for allegedly stealing $435 in clothing and speakers from Kohl’s, Strabane Square, on March 3. Two of her alleged accomplices, Ashley Chalfant, 25, of Belle Vernon, and Larry Bolling, 22, of West Newton, were arrested that day and placed in jail after arraignment on the theft charges.
Trevor Adam Smith, 32, of 85 Graham Ave., Washington, was charged with felony retail theft after allegedly stealing items from Kohl’s on Nov. 12.
Lindsey M. Cain, 33, of 399 Race St., Waynesburg, was charged with felony retail theft and defiant trespass after allegedly stealing clothing and party favors from Target, Strabane Square, on March 4. She had been banned from the store after a theft in 2014.