Arrests planned in vehicle break-ins
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Police in North Franklin and South Strabane townships plan to make arrests in vehicle break-ins reported Wednesday night at Washington Crown Center in North Franklin and Washington Mall in South Strabane.
South Strabane police were called about 6:45 p.m. for a report of people breaking into vehicles near the Grand China Buffet. Police also received a description of a van used by the alleged thieves.
As police were arriving at the mall, the officer spotted a van matching the description leave the mall and go south on Murtland Avenue. The van then turned into Pizza Hut on Murtland.
Shawn P. Duchi Sr., 32, of 700 Fayette St., Washington, was identified as the driver. Tiffany Huggins, 21, of 516 Eldersville Road, Burgettstown, and Nicole Lynn Allen, 24, of 300 Burton Ave., Washington, were passengers, along with three young children.
Inside the van, police said they could see a laptop computer, leaf blower, gas can, purses, a crib mattress and cellphones. Police also saw an open container of malt liquor, as well as two unopened cans of the beverage.
Police said they later determined the leaf blower and gas can had been stolen from a trailer attached to a vehicle owned by Scott McClenathan while it had been parked near the restaurant.
Huggins denied involvement in the theft. Police said Duchi and Allen will be charged with theft from a vehicle and criminal conspiracy. He also will be charged with having an open container of alcohol. The children were released to their father.
About the same time, North Franklin police were called to a vehicle break-in at Washington Crown Center. Rebekah Studt of South Franklin Township reported that a passenger side window was broken in her vehicle. Studt’s laptop computer, purse and Walkman were stolen.
South Strabane police recovered the stolen items, which were returned to Studt.
Duchi, Allen and Huggins will each be charged by North Franklin police with receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.
All charges will be sent by summons from the offices of District Judges Jay Weller and Robert Redlinger.