Couple charged with stealing weapons
CARMICHAELS – A Carmichaels man and his girlfriend have been charged with stealing multiple weapons and a PlayStation 4 game system from the man’s father in order to support their heroin habit.
Ronald Ray Conard Jr., 26, and Shanelle Desiree Smitley, 22, shared a residence with Conard’s father, Ronald Conard Sr. at 323 N. Market St., when the alleged thefts occurred.
The father told police he kept his bedroom door padlocked due to prior issues with his son stealing from him.
The elder Conard came home Dec. 17 to find the door was kicked open and the game system along with eight guns missing.
He told police he suspected his son and Smitley and attempted to call them several times with no answer.
On Dec. 18, state police Trooper Jason Clayton obtained photographs from Brownsville Walmart of Conard returning the PlayStation 4 for cash. Clayton said Smitley and Conard admitted taking the items and using the money to buy heroin to support their habits.
According to the criminal complaint, the couple told Clayton they sold some of the guns to a Belle Vernon pawn shop.
Clayton received copies of transactions sheets from Gem’s Quick Cash in Belle Vernon indicating Conard had sold four of his father’s guns at the pawn shop. The complaint does not indicate what the couple did with the other four guns.
Both were arrested Jan. 30 and charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.
They were placed in Greene County jail on $5,000 straight cash bond. Smitley is currently free.
Preliminary hearings in the matter are scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 9 before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson.