Workman Accused of Stealing From Upper St. Clair Home

The preliminary hearing Monday for a workman accused of stealing jewelry and coins from an home was continued.

Phillip V. Berta, 26, of 5350 Fieldcrest Dr., Pittsburgh, is charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking.

A homeowner on Siesta Drive called on Dec. 8 after several workmen had been present inside her home.

She said a gold necklace with a diamond heart pendant worth $1,000 and two coin banks containing nearly $200 were missing.

According to the criminal complaint filed by police, Berta voluntarily came to the police department to discuss the matter on Dec. 13 and provided a written statement acknowledging his responsibility in the theft.

His hearing was continued for 45 days. ordered him to pay $1,200 in restitution.

Waived to Court
Two charges against Erica Loretta Leonardo, 21, of 362 Hood School Rd., Indiana, PA were waived to court Monday.

According to the criminal complaint, Sears Loss Prevention employees caught Leonardo stealing a pair of underwear from Sears at on Feb. 23.

When they searched her purse, they told police they found a syringe, 13 empty stamp bags of heroin, one full stamp bag of heroin, one tan shoelace, seven small cotton balls and a bent and burnt spoon.

The drug paraphernalia charge was dropped against Leonardo, but the possession of heroin and retail theft charges were held.

Waived to Court
The charges against Randy Oswald, 27, of 404 Painters Dr., Upper St. Clair and Tricia Lynn Vavro, 28, of 2782 Bertha St., Bethel Park were waived to court Monday.

Upper St. Clair police found a bag of marijuana and three bongs in front of Oswald and Vavro . They entered the unit because smoke was coming from their apartment.

After the firefighters from the evacuated the building of 11 apartment units, the firefighters found that the broiler control knob on the oven was in the on position and caused the smoke inside Oswald's apartment.

Inside, police also stated they saw a driver's license, and three debit and credit cards belonging to a man who reported his wallet missing a year ago.

Oswald and Vavro are facing drug charges. In addition, Oswald is charged with one count of recklessly endangering another person, one count of having lost property and one count of access device fraud.