Crime Blotter: Bakerstown Man Arrested for Bench Warrants; Two Women Charged with Retail Theft

Bakerstown Man Arrested for Bench Warrants

 A 21-year-old Bakerstown man turned himself in to Northern Regional Police Department early Tuesday after his mother reported he stole checks from her, police said.

Cody Kenneth Thomas also was wanted for bench warrants issued in Allegheny and Butler counties for failing to appear in court, police said. He was taken to Allegheny County Jail.

 Initally, Gwendolyn Thomas, Cody’s mother, called police around 5 p.m. to report her son had stolen checks when he was at her house earlier in the day, police said.

 PNC Bank in McIntyre Square called Mrs. Thomas to tell her Cody was trying to cash one of her checks for $200, according to the police report.

 Mrs. Thomas told police she asked the bank to cancel the rest of the checks that were taken, the police report states. Police said they plan to file charges of theft and forgery against Cody.

Allegheny County court records show a long list of felony and misdemeanor charges against him -- criminal trespass/breaking into a structure; disorderly conduct/engage in fighting; theft, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats and burglary.

Butler County court records show he is facing drug-related charges.

Cody Thomas pleaded guilty in February to theft, receiving stolen property and forgery in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. He was placed on probation and ordered to complete an in-patient program, a drug and alcohol evaluation, submit to drug testing, and to pay restitution and court fees.

Landslide Blocks Warrendale Road

A landslide blocked Warrendale Road in Wexford at 2 a.m. April 14, forcing police to temporarily close the road between Northgate Drive and Wallace Road.

When police arrived, they said they found part of the hill in front of Boff’s Towing at 323 Warrendale Road had fallen onto the road.

“The fall of the hillside caused a gas line and water line to break at this location. A telephone pole on the property was also dislodged,” according to the police report.

Utility companies shut off utilities, and police called the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for cleanup.

Two Women Charged with Retail Theft at Kohls

Two women were charged with retail theft April 18 for taking items from Kohl’s Department Store in Richland Township, police said.

Leigh A. Richwalls, 32, of Bakerstown attempted to steal $100 in merchandise, said police. Richwalls has two previous convictions for retail theft, police said.

Rachelle Ann Kane, 28, whose address was listed as Sarver and Bakerstown, attempted to steal merchandise worth $180.50, police said. She has no previous convictions for retail theft, the police report noted.

A preliminary hearing for Richwalls is set for April 29 in the courtroom of Magisterial District Judge Regis Welsh Jr. Kane’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 20.

“Loss Prevention Supervisor Jessica Toomey stated she observed two blond females conceal merchandise on their persons and attempt to exit the store,” the police report states.

Richwalls was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, police said. Kane was released and will receive a summons in the mail, according to the police report.

Preliminary Hearing for Troy Cyphert Waived

 A Tarentum man charged with driving under the influence on Route 8 in Richland Township waived his right to a preliminary hearing April 13.

Troy Cyphert, 45, was ordered to stand trial in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; a formal arraignment is scheduled for June 1.

In a report, Northern Regional Police said they charged Cyphert after toxicology test results were positive for benzodiazepines [Oxazepam and Temazepam] and Oxycodone.

The charges stem from an 11 p.m. incident Jan. 9 when police said a 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon was reported to be driving on the wrong side of the road on Route 8, running cars off the road, jumping a curb, traveling over a snow bank and veering across oncoming lanes of traffic.

The car eventually stopped at at 5370 William Flynn Highway/Route 8, police said.