Peters Twp. police charge couple in theft of money

Editor’s note: Michael D. Schmitt’s charges in the below case were dismissed in 2017.
A Mt. Lebanon couple was arraigned Friday on theft-related charges filed by Peters Township police after the pair allegedly stole more than $40,000 from the woman’s former employer.
Alyssa Michelle Havelka, 25, and Michael D. Schmitt, 32, of 125 Central Square, were arraigned before District Judge James Ellis. Havelka is charged with one count each of theft and theft by deception. Schmitt is charged with six counts each of theft by deception, access device fraud and forgery, and one count of receiving stolen property.
Police were notified of the theft late last month by the owner and an employee of Prominent Payroll, which conducts business as Bean Counters at 506 Valleybrook Road. It was alleged Havelka stole six checks from the business and turned them over to Schmitt, who is identified in court documents as her boyfriend.
Havelka reportedly was recently hired by the company. Police said the checks were processed through a PNC bank without authorization and deposited in Schmitt’s account. The signature of the company owner was forged on the checks, police said.
Five checks were fully processed, totalling $40,652 in losses to the company. Payment of a sixth check written for $12,500 was stopped before the money was taken out of the company’s account. Police said the company also is out bank processing fees.
Havelka and Schmitt were released on their own recognizance. They face a May 30 preliminary hearing before Ellis.