Jan 13, 2015 2 min read

A Canton Township woman was arraigned Tuesday morning on charges filed by state police in connection with a burglary last month at a Canton home.

Crystal Renee Montano, 32, of 619 Best Ave., is accused of burglarizing the home of Darlene Reese, 1227 S. Hewitt Ave., Dec. 18. The front door was pried open. Jewelry, loose change and a .22-caliber pistol were stolen from the home.

Reese told police she went to Montano’s home to exchange Christmas gifts with her at about 8 p.m. She told Montano she had to pick up her niece and then go to the store.

When Reese returned home about 10:45 p.m. that night, she discovered the burglary. She told police she suspected Montano after getting telephone calls the night before from an unknown number and then finding Montano standing outside her home. Montano reportedly tried to sell Reese costume jewelry.

Police determined Montano was wanted on a felony warrant in Allegheny County and bench warrant in Washington County. Police went to her home and learned that she was likely at a home on Jefferson Avenue in Canton. Police learned Montano and a man who was with her allegedly tried to sell the residents of the Jefferson Avenue home items they just stole.

Police returned to the home on Best Avenue and found her hiding in a bedroom closet. Police spotted jewelry and coins in her purse. She was taken to Washington County jail, but later released.

Reese told police she went to a jewelry store at 1120 Jefferson in late December, finding two of her stolen rings. The rings were reportedly sold by a woman who was an acquaintance of Montano, who was at her home when she was picked up Dec. 23 on a warrant for a second time. Reese was also able to identify the items recovered from Montano’s purse.

Montano was arraigned before District Judge David Mark on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property. She was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 27 before Mark.