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Man charged with stealing sports gear

Frank Novak Jr.

CRANBERRY TWP — A 12-time shoplifter was arrested again on a pair of unrelated arrest warrants for allegedly stealing or trying to steal more than $7,000 worth of Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins merchandise from two stores.

Cranberry Township police Friday arrested Frank R. Novak Jr., 33, of Pittsburgh. District Judge Sue Haggerty later arraigned him on multiple felony counts each of retail theft and receiving stole property.

Novak is also charged with defiant trespass, a misdemeanor. He is in Butler County Prison on $30,000 bail.

Police had been looking for Novak since Jan. 17, when they got their first arrest warrant for him.

In that case, according to court documents, he is accused of taking a combined $6,886.45 in merchandise at the same Walmart on Route 19 on two separate days, Jan. 9 and 11.

Charging documents noted that he has 12 prior retail theft convictions.

Read more about this case in the Butler Eagle.

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