Nov 30, 2012 2 min read

Four men working on a remodeling job at a Charleroi home earlier this year are accused of stealing $60,000 they allegedly found in a box in the attic of the home.

Jason F. Latchem, 43, of Monessen; Richard Luketich, 39, of Fayette City; Bryan Presock, 32, of 1215 McKean Ave., Charleroi; and Robert Varner, 49, of 3 Latta Hollow Road, Roscoe, each were charged Tuesday by Charleroi Regional police with theft, receiving property and criminal conspiracy.

On Aug. 23, Donald Smaracheck, who owns Smaracheck Construction, told Officer Michael Kresich his work crew found $60,000 in the attic of a home they were working on at 806 Meadow Ave., Charleroi. The four suspects were identified as members of the work crew. Smaracheck purchased the property in February.

Smaracheck told police he approached Latchem, who admitted to finding the money while working in the attic in June. Latchem reportedly told Smaracheck they split the money four ways.

Luketich, in a statement to police, said the money was in a box in the dormer of the attic. The four men continued working and at the end of the day, reportedly went to Latchem’s house, where they split the money.

Luketich allegedly used part of the money to purchase an all-terrain vehicle he gave to Smaracheck. The ATV was taken as evidence by police.

Charges against the four were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Larry Hopkins. A preliminary hearing for the four is set for Dec. 27 before Hopkins.