Home building store thefts alleged
CRANBERRY TWP — Two Ohio men are facing charges in two counties for alleged thefts from home improvement stores.
Justin R. Parden, 29, of Columbus is charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit retail theft and conspiracy to receive stolen property following his arrest Friday.
According to an affidavit, Cranberry police were called around 2 p.m. Friday to a home improvement store in the township for a report of a man stealing two Honda generators totaling $2,197.38. Police reviewed video and photo surveillance showing the alleged theft.
At 4:22 that afternoon, West Mifflin police arrested two men for a retail theft at another location of the same home improvement store in West Mifflin. The suspects, Parden and Devin J. Lloyd, fled from officers and an 11-mile pursuit ensued. After being caught, the suspects were allegedly found to be in possession of more than $2,000 in stolen power tools, as well as the generators stolen earlier from the Butler County store.
The complaint notes Lloyd was wearing the jacket previously worn by Parden when he allegedly committed the theft in Cranberry Township.
Parden was arraigned Tuesday, and is being held on $50,000 monetary bond. A Nov. 1 preliminary hearing is scheduled before District Judge David Kovach.
Parden also faces two felony counts of retail theft, receiving stolen property and fleeing or attempting to elude police charges in Allegheny County, as well as a summary traffic offense. His preliminary hearing before District Judge Richard D. Olasz Jr. is scheduled for Oct. 31.
Meanwhile, Lloyd, 19, of Columbus faces charges of retail theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit retail theft and conspiracy to receive stolen property in Butler County, although the case was listed as inactive as of Wednesday afternoon.
His Allegheny County charges include two felony counts of retail theft, receiving stolen property and a traffic offense. An Oct. 31 preliminary hearing is scheduled before Olasz.
