Timothy Manino

A California man is accused of swiping three generators Saturday from the Lowe's Home Improvement store in Cranberry Township.

Timothy Manino, 57, of Roseville, allegedly used a set of bolt cutters and a cart belonging to the store to commit the suspected theft.

Cranberry Township police said they believe he also had the help of an accomplice, his ex-wife, Janice Gropelli, 60, of Frazer Township, Allegheny County, who allegedly rented a van used to haul away the merchandise.

Police arrested Manino on Monday. Gropelli turned herself in to authorities Wednesday.

Both are charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property, and conspiracy to commit each of those same crimes, all felonies. Manino also is charged with possession of an instrument of crime, a misdemeanor.

Manino is in the Butler County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond. Gropelli is free on her own recognizance.

Police said employees at Lowe's did not immediately discover the theft. A loss prevention manager notified police Monday.

Detective Sgt. Matthew Irvin reviewed the store's surveillance video as part of his investigation, during which the defendants were identified.

Police believe Gropelli rented a U-Haul van around 1:35 p.m. Saturday. Manino, who was listed as a secondary contact on the lease, allegedly drove the van to the store with his ex-wife riding in it.

Investigators suspect Manino has been staying with his former wife for the past two weeks or so, possibly hoping to reconcile with her.

He allegedly walked into the store and picked out bolt cutters that were for sale. He also took a flat cart belonging to the store, Irvin said, and proceeded to where the gasoline generators are kept.

The generators are secured with a steel security bar across a shelf that is also fashioned with a padlock.

Police said Manino cut the lock and removed three 3,000-watt generators, valued at about $950 each. He put the machines on the cart and walked toward the exit. Along the way, police said, he also placed a chest cooler, worth about $315, onto the cart.

He eventually made it out of the store, according to Irvin's affidavit, through the “entrance-only” doors as another customer entered, and headed to the rental van.

He allegedly put the merchandise into the rear cargo area and drove away. Irvin said the video also allegedly showed Gropelli in the van.

During the investigation, according to charging documents, police learned that Frazer Township police had arrested Manino July 5 in connection with shoplifting incidents at Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart stores in that township.

In all, the value of the merchandise taken from the Frazer stores exceeded $10,000, documents said. He was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment on charges.

Irvin went to Gropelli's home Monday, documents said, and found both defendants. Manino allegedly admitted that he sold the generators to two unidentified men, documents said. He was eventually arrested that day.

Charges, however, were not prepared for Gropelli until Tuesday, after the investigation allegedly found she was involved in the suspected crime.

Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for July 24. Online court records did not indicate if they have attorneys. Gropelli could not be reached for comment Wednesday.