A Slippery Rock woman is facing charges in relation to an incident involving Ronald R. Piper, who later led police on a high-speed chase and eventually prompted a search.

According to court documents, Tabatha Marie McConnell, 29, is facing a felony count of conspiracy to commit burglary and a misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking following a reported burglary Monday, Oct. 20.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, state police were dispatched to a property on Buena Vista Road in Fairview Township following a report of a burglary.

According to police, the property owner’s mother-in-law alerted the owner to a suspicious minivan parked alongside the property. Upon arriving at the property the owner confronted a man walking from a barn carrying some items and told him he was not allowed to be there. Following the confrontation, the man allegedly dropped some of the items and fled on foot toward Cherry Road.

Police said, while canvassing the area, they found a Honda Odessey matching the description of the minivan reported at the property. According to police, they observed two male and one female occupants before unsuccessfully trying to initiate a traffic stop on Buena Vista Road.

According to police, the van was seen heading east on Route 68, before returning west with only a male operator, identified as Piper, 46, of Butler, in the vehicle. Police said they pursued the vehicle into Armstrong County before it was abandoned and Piper fled on foot, prompting a search.

According to police, following reports of a suspicious man and woman walking through yards, they found McConnell, who agreed to an interview with police.

Police said McConnell admitted to being in the van with Piper and another individual. McConnell said Piper dropped the man and herself off before fleeing due to an outstanding warrant.

Following an investigation and review of video from a school bus and a convenience store in Petrolia on Tuesday, police apprehended Piper and McConnell on Wednesday and had a subsequent interview with McConnell.

According to police, McConnell admitted to being in the van and accurately described the area where the burglary took place. She then said she remained in the van while Piper and the other man exited the vehicle and returned carrying copper wire and a CB radio.

McConnell is currently being held in the Butler County jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing for McConnell is scheduled on Nov. 18 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.

This article was updated Oct. 24, 2025 to remove the last name of a person who is not facing charges but was mentioned in the affidavit.