South Strabane police arrest two men on theft charges
From left, Nicholas Duane Forren and William Earle Dale Freeman
Nicholas Duane Forren
William Earle Dale Freeman
Two men arrested Friday by South Strabane police as suspects in a recent rash of thefts from home improvement stores in the township had been charged in a similar incident earlier this year.
Nicholas Duane Forren, 24, who police said is homeless, and William Earle Dale Freeman, 32, of Chester, W.Va., were taken into custody Friday afternoon when an officer spotted a vehicle believed to be associated with the thefts pull into the lot at Lowe’s in Strabane Square.
Police said the tan Buick sedan with Ohio license plates was believed to be involved in a series of thefts dating to June 19. Officer Keith Zenkovich spotted the car pull into the area near the garden center. He identified Forren as the driver. Freeman, who was the passenger, initially gave police a different name.
Police said the two allegedly stole DeWalt tools from the Home Depot on Murtland Avenue earlier that day. They also allegedly stole tools from Lowe’s on June 19, June 21 and July 7. Police said the stolen tools were valued at almost $1,400.
Forren, Freeman and Scott Lyons, 41, of Aliquippa, are suspects in the theft of a tool and a weed trimmer from Lowe’s May 23. Forren and Lyons were taken into custody and arraigned on charges of retail theft, conspiracy and possession of paraphernalia. Police obtained a warrant for Freeman after Forren reportedly told them the Chester man was responsible for the thefts.
Forren waived his case to court during a June 13 hearing before District Judge Jay Weller. Lyons was held for court after failing to appear for his hearing. A bench warrant for his arrest was requested by the prosecution.
In the latest case, Forren and Freeman were arraigned before District Judge Traci McDonald on four counts each of retail theft and conspiracy. Freeman also was arraigned on the May charges of retail theft, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia. Forren was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. Freeman was jailed on $50,000 bond. They are scheduled for July 17 hearings before Weller.