South Strabane police charge several people with theft
A Donora man was charged twice last week with retail theft by South Strabane Township police after he allegedly stole items from a business on separate occasions last month.
Christopher J. Jakela, 27, of 642 Sixth St., is among several people who had theft-related charges filed against them by police at the office of District Judge Jay Weller.
Jakela was charged with two counts of retail theft for allegedly stealing items valued at $657.00 from Walmart, Trinity Point, Sept. 29 and Oct. 9. He was charged in a separate complaint with retail theft for allegedly stealing two Roku streaming sticks valued at $138 from the store Oct. 21.
Rateeshia Taneika Porter, 23, of 490 Fayette St., Washington, and Demoreaze Jamill Betts, 24, of 890 Addison St., Washington, were charged with retail theft and conspiracy for allegedly stealing 109 items valued at $836.21 from Walmart Oct. 13. They reportedly paid for 47 items valued at $132.80. Both were given trespass notices banning them from the store, police said.
Kenneth Darnell Thompson, 40, of 820 W. Chestnut St., Washington, was charged with retail theft, theft by deception and criminal mischief for allegedly switching price tags on items. Police said security wiring on some of the packages was damaged.
Maria N. Stringhill, 25, of 426 Patterson Lane, Belle Vernon, was charged with retail theft and possession of paraphernalia after allegedly stealing 28 items valued at $319.18 from Home Depot, Murtland Avenue, Oct. 10.
Dena Chandler, 47, of 224 Linn Ave., Washington, was charged with felony retail theft for allegedly stealing food from Giant Eagle, Strabane Square, Oct. 3. Police said she has multiple prior retail theft convictions.
All face preliminary hearings before Weller.