Homeowner finds woman in bathroom
A former Canonsburg woman was arrested late Monday by Cecil Township police after a resident reportedly found her taking a bath in a tub at his Farmcrest Drive home.
Robin Theiss, 48, who police said is homeless, also was charged with burglarizing a home on Hillcrest Drive. They also obtained a warrant for her after she allegedly took a pickup truck without permission late Friday from a repair shop and reportedly tried to set fire to tires outside that business.
The resident of Farmcrest told police he woke up to the sound of running water. When he went to a first-floor bathroom, he tried unsuccessfully to open the door. He heard a woman say, “I’m in here.” He told police she wrapped herself in a white towel and ran from the house.
The homeowner gave police a description of the woman, and officers found Theiss walking between two houses on Farmcrest. She was identified by the homeowner. Two blankets were found in the backyard of the Farmcrest home, and a blue and white jacket was found on the porch.
Earlier that night, Theiss allegedly broke into a house on Hillcrest. The homeowner told police he came home about 10:20 p.m. and noticed the lid on the grill was up. He told police he remembered putting the lid down after using it earlier that day.
He also told police food that was fixed earlier had been eaten, with the remainder covered and placed back in the refrigerator. A frozen macaroni and cheese also was prepared and left on the kitchen counter. Clothing was found in the backyard. Theiss identified the garments as belonging to her, police said.
That was not the first encounter Theiss had with Cecil police. Detective Mark Marcucci said officers were called about 6:30 p.m. to Buggy’s Auto, Route 50, after getting a report of a woman standing outside cutting her hair. Her Ford Escape was towed there after she reportedly left it Friday at Rice’s Auto on Georgetown Road.
Police said Theiss is seen on surveillance at Rice, picking up a red rag and trying to set tires on fire. Theiss also is seen getting into a red pickup truck and driving away. She later returned the truck. The owner told police he found a photograph later determined to be that of Theiss’ daughter on the dashboard. She reportedly put about 50 miles on the truck.
Theiss told police Sunday she was trying to get her car back. She told them she was going to walk to a friend’s house. Earlier that day, Chartiers police received a complaint about her after getting a call from a resident of McGovern Road about a suspicious woman. They found Theiss walking in the area. Chartiers police took her to their station and called for a representative of Southwest Pennsylvania Human Services diversion unit. The representative talked with Theiss, police said, and told officers she was fine to go.
Theiss is scheduled for a Sept. 28 preliminary hearing before District Judge David Mark on charges of causing or risking a catastrophe and reckless endangerment after she allegedly set fire to garbage and debris close to the Frederick Court apartment building in Canonsburg where she was living July 30.
In connection with the most recent incidents, Theiss was arraigned before District Judge Larry Hopkins on two counts of burglary and one count each of loitering and prowling at night and theft. She was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. Police obtained a warrant for her Monday from District Judge Traci McDonald on charges of theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property, attempted arson and criminal trespass for Friday’s incident.