Pittsburgh man imprisoned for burglary
CONNELLSVILLE – A Pittsburgh man is in Fayette County Prison after he allegedly burglarized a city discount store, removing more than $200 in non-prescription drugs from the business. A barefoot and handcuffed Joseph McCartan, 19, admitted to District Justice Ronald Haggerty on Monday that he uses drugs after hearing the numerous charges filed by police in connection with the early morning burglary of the Dollar General Discount Store.
“Obviously, I have a drug problem,” said McCartan.
Throughout the brief arraignment hearing, McCartan often yawned and laid his head on the table as Haggerty reviewed the burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property charges filed by the arresting officer, Patrolman Rob Long.
McCartan told Haggerty that he had been with some friends, driving through the city to the Mon Valley area to “buy some dope” when he was thrown out of the vehicle after being removed of his money and shoes.
“This has been the craziest month of my life,” he said.
McCartan told Haggerty that after being left in the parking lot of the store, he tried to persuade an unknown individual to allow him to use her cellular telephone, but was unsuccessful.
“She kept yelling at me to get away from her,” he said.
According to police, McCartan allegedly entered the store through the roof and was filling yellow plastic bags with the medication when an employee discovered him as she unlocked the front door of North 8th Street business at about 8:25 a.m.
Police said the worker, Toni Philburn, yelled at McCartan as he cleared the shelves of a variety of pain relievers and cold tablets and then ran through the door that she had just unlocked.
Philburn reported to police that McCartan fled on foot in a northerly direction. He was apprehended near Torrance Avenue and North Sixth Street. Police recovered the two bags and their contents behind a large tree, near Seventh Street.
McCartan, meanwhile, told police that he did not intend to frighten the store employee.
McCartan was lodged in the county prison after failing to post the $20,000 cash bond imposed by Haggerty.
A June 25 preliminary hearing date was scheduled in the matter.