North Strabane police charge woman in theft of $180,000
A South Strabane Township woman was charged with theft Tuesday by North Strabane Township police after she allegedly stole more than $180,000 from her former employer, reportedly forcing him to close the business.
Kimberly Lynn Weiland, 50, of 5001 Stonecreek Lane, is accused of stealing $180,624 from Canon-Mac Metals, 2329 Route 519, while she was working as an office manager.
Michael Traficante, who owned the business, contacted police in early April to report the theft, indicating it caused a financial hardship and ultimately the closing of the business, police stated in court documents. Police were given financial records dating to January 2015, when the thefts allegedly began.
As office manager, Weiland was reportedly in charge of making all withdrawals from the company’s bank account. She also was in charge of managing business funds, police said. Weiland would reportedly withdraw money from the bank several times a week for the cash register drawer. These transactions would be made with a check, signed by Weiland and made out to cash, police said. She would record the transactions in a daily log.
On Jan. 5, 2015, she allegedly cashed a check for $12,000 but recorded it with the corresponding check number as being a $10,000 withdrawal. Police said similar transactions and discrepancies took place 147 times, all through the 2015 calendar year.
The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Weller.