Butler man accused of stealing $48k from former business released before trial
A former employee accused of stealing more than $48,000 in equipment from now-closed Miller’s Quality Meats in Butler had his bail changed in two cases to unsecured bond so he could be released before trial.
William J. Scott, 50, of Butler, waived his right to two preliminary hearings Monday, Oct. 19, before District Judge William Fullerton after being charged by state police in Butler June 3 in one case and Butler police Sept. 14 in another.
Scott was charged in the Sept. 14 case with one felony count each of burglary and theft for a Sept. 2 incident. Police said Scott stole $48,875 in equipment from the former Millers Meats.
According to police, security footage from a neighboring business captured a photo of Scott pushing a rack into a red Ford truck parked outside Miller’s and driving away with the rack in the truck bed.
Bail in the case was initially set at $40,000.
At the time 18 Pro Smoker model 500T stainless steel smoke racks valued at $2,500 each, 12 aluminum racks valued at $148 each, 10 Pro Smoker model 500T smoker gates valued at $209.99 each and 1,000 stainless steel smoke sticks with an undetermined value were listed as missing at the time.
Miller’s closed after a Jan. 17, 2024, fire caused significant damage to the structure.
Scott was charged by state police in the June case with three misdemeanor DUI counts following a March 30 traffic stop in Butler. Police said Scott tested positive for cocaine and THC. Bail in the case was initially set at $10,000.
Scott will stay with a family member in Butler before his trials. He will be on pretrial supervision and electronic monitoring and is to have no contact with the former business.
Scott’s next court dates have not been scheduled.
