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Four face casino theft charges

2 min read
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Surveillance cameras inside The Meadows Casino in North Strabane Township helped state police track down four people suspected in recent unrelated thefts.

Charged were Orlando J. Ciaffoni, 70, of 141 Burnside Road, Canonsburg; Chem Nath Dahal, 25, of Pittsburgh; Linda L. Molinaro, 67, of 214 Castle Road, Washington; and Duane E. Conaway, 24, of Wheeling, W.Va.

Molinaro is accused of stealing an envelope containing $1,500 that had been dropped by an Amwell Township man Sept. 21. Police said she is seen reaching under the chair of the alleged victim on the casino floor and retrieving the envelope, then using the money to play games at machines for the next hour.

Molinaro is charged with theft of mislaid property.

Ciaffoni also is charged with theft of mislaid property after he allegedly took a $770 voucher that had been dropped on the floor by a Tyrone woman Sept. 16. Ciaffoni allegedly put the voucher into another machine along with his own voucher. Surveillance video shows him watching the alleged victim and her husband search for the lost voucher, police said.

Conaway is charged with theft for allegedly grabbing a $100 voucher out of a machine being played by a Scottdale woman and then cashing it out.

Dahal is charged with theft and theft by sleight of hand for allegedly illegally capping his bet while the dealer was distracted, winning $500. Police said his action was captured on surveillance, and after it was confirmed, he was asked to return the money and was escorted from the casino.

The charges were sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller. Dahal and Conaway are scheduled for Dec. 5 preliminary hearings before Weller, while Ciaffoni and Molinaro have hearings scheduled for Dec. 12.

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