Man faces 7 pending retail theft cases
South Strabane Township police filed charges of retail theft against several people, including a California man who has six other cases pending against him at the offices of two district judges.
William Matsko III, 29, of 520 Second St., is wanted on a felony charge of retail theft as well as criminal trespass after he allegedly stole a cellphone case from Walmart, Trinity Point, on Jan. 10. He has been banned from the store since October after another alleged theft.
Matsko and Jamie Fisher, 34, also of 520 Second, are charged with retail theft and conspiracy for allegedly trying to steal electronics from Target, Strabane Square, Jan. 6. Matsko reportedly used a knife to open packages containing electronic items and concealed them while Fisher acted as lookout, police said.
South Strabane police charged Matsko six times with retail theft since October for allegedly stealing items not only from Walmart but Kohl’s and Home Depot at Strabane Square. Five of those cases are still pending before District Judge Jay Weller.
Matsko is scheduled to appear before District Judge Joshua Kanalis Monday morning for a preliminary hearing on charges of retail theft and harassment filed by Centerville police.
He is accused of going to Dollar General, 3220 National Pike, Dec. 20 and attempting to return a set of queen-sized bed sheets he had stolen from the store. The store manager told police Matsko was seen on surveillance footage hiding the sheets under his jacket as he left the store without paying.
When a clerk reportedly thanked Matsko for returning the sheets after stealing them, and refused to give Matsko a refund, Matsko allegedly made what the clerk construed as a threat, then left the store.
Also facing retail theft charges are Michelle Coleman, 32, of Pittsburgh, and Zachary Maier, 33, of 459 Malone Ridge Road, Canton Township. Coleman is accused of stealing clothing valued at $600 from Ralph Lauren at Tanger Outlets Oct. 2. Maier allegedly stole razor blades valued at $1,329.24 from Giant Eagle, Strabane Square, Tuesday. The charges against both will be sent by summons from Weller’s office.