Two charged in South Strabane beer store burglary
An alert South Strabane Township police officer on the lookout for a vehicle believed to be involved in a beer store burglary early Wednesday is being credited with helping detectives nab the suspects.
Jason Chadwick, 38, of 414 Duquesne Ave., Canonsburg, was taken into custody Friday at the home he shares with his brother. South Strabane police, along with Canonsburg police, went to the Duquesne Avenue home and Chadwick, who is also known as Jason Higgins, was found hiding under a bed.
The alleged getaway driver, Debra Lynn Cianflone, 27, of 349 Pershing Ave., Houston, was taken into custody by South Strabane police Monday after she was spotted inside Walmart, Trinity Point.
Township police Detective Ken Torboli said video surveillance caught the break-in at The Beer Store, 746 Locust Ave., about 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Chadwick allegedly broke the front door, entered the building and stole 11 cartons of cigarettes and a 30-pack of beer. The items were valued at $684.
“He was in and out of there in about a minute,” Torboli said.
Video surveillance also captured a gold Taurus that was in the parking lot. Later that day, township police Officer Seth Kelley spotted the vehicle being driven by Cianflone on Route 19.
Chadwick was arraigned Friday before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of burglary, conspiracy, theft and criminal mischief. He was placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond. Cianflone was arraigned Monday before Weller on charges of conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property. She was placed in jail on $25,000 bond. Both face preliminary hearings before Weller on Friday.
Canonsburg police said Chadwick had suspected heroin, suboxone and Klonepin with him when he was taken into custody. They plan to charge him with possession of the drugs, as well as resisting arrest and hindering apprehension. Those charges will be filed at the office of District Judge David Mark.
Chadwick is a person of interest in burglaries in the Canonsburg and North Strabane Township areas. Canonsburg police Detective Sgt. Al Coghill said his department is awaiting the results of blood evidence to determine if Chadwick is connected to the crimes.