Victims report knowing 2 accused of taking vehicles
A woman is wanted on separate arrest warrants for allegedly taking two cars less than a week apart this month.
Robin R. Lieser, 48, who has no known address, is accused of driving away in a 2002 Hundyai Accent on July 14 after she allegedly broke into a home on the 400 block of South Washington Street in Butler.
The victim, who knows Lieser, told city police that the car was parked outside her home. She discovered it missing when she awoke.
According to court documents, the victim contacted the defendant, who admitted taking the vehicle.
District Judge William Fullerton on July 16 signed an arrest warrant for Lieser. She is charged with burglary and theft, both charges are felonies.
Additionally, state police allege Lieser and Billie Jo Bowers, 51, of Butler stole a couple's 2015 Chevrolet Cruz on July 8 after staying overnight at the victims' home on Grey Avenue in Winfield Township.
Upon finding the car gone, police said, one of the victims eventually was able to contact Bowers by telephone. She told Bowers to immediately return the vehicle.
Butler police on July 9 found Bowers and Lieser walking in the city. They led officers to the reportedly stolen Chevy that was parked on the 500 block of South Washington, documents said.
“Lieser admitted to driving the vehicle,” according to a police affidavit.She was taken to Butler County Prison on an unrelated bench warrant. During a search, police said, a prison officer turned up suspected drug contraband during a strip search.Lieser was later released from the prison.State police four days later charged her and Bowers with taking the Chevy.District Judge Sue Haggerty on July 13 signed arrest warrants for both defendants; each is charged with felony counts of theft and conspiracy, and a misdemeanor count of unauthorized use of a vehicle.State police on Monday arrested Bowers, who was arraigned and placed in the county jail on $10,000 bail.Butler police on July 18 filed an additional charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from the search at the jail.
