Fredericktown couple jailed on high bonds
A district judge sent a very clear message to a Fredericktown couple about living up to terms of their bail.
Robert S. Stevens, 28, and Rachel Pipp, 30, both of 181 Barney’s Run Road, were placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bonds Monday after District Judge Joshua Kanalis determined the two violated the conditions of their initial bonds. When the two were arraigned Oct. 21, Kanalis set bond for each at $5,000 with the stipulation Stevens and Pipp not contact each other, a condition the two allegedly did not meet.
Stevens and Pipp appeared Monday before Kanalis for a preliminary hearing on charges of receiving stolen property and theft.
Shirley Brown, identified by East Bethlehem police in court documents as Stevens’ mother, reported Sept. 6 that she discovered several pieces of jewelry were stolen from her home at 57 Vesta Ave., Fredericktown. She told police she always kept the jewelry in the same place. She searched for the items before calling police. There was no sign of forced entry into the home.
Brown told police she believed the jewelry was stolen Aug. 14 when her son and Pipp visited her home. She told officers that she checked with several pawn shops and discovered that some of the jewelry had been sold at a Treasure Hunt in Belle Vernon. Brown was not able to retrieve her property because the jewelry already had been melted down, police said.
Stevens waived his case to court. Pipp waived a hearing on a charge of receiving stolen property after the theft charge against her was withdrawn by the prosecution. The two remained in Washington County jail Tuesday afternoon.