Nov 15, 2009 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – A Waynesburg man is behind bars after he and a Greene County teenager were allegedly caught breaking into a home in Carmichaels last week. Cumberland Township police Patrolman Tony Gismondi said Stephen M. Whipkey, 18, of 105 Wayne Village was charged before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson with burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit theft, theft, criminal trespassing, flight to avoid apprehension and corruption of minors.

Gismondi said the charges were filed after Whipkey, and an unidentified teen accomplice, broke into the Greene Valley Road home of Mary Lewis shortly after noon Nov. 6.

Gismondi said Lewis returned to her residence and found an unfamiliar car parked in her driveway.

She told police that she questioned a male sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, and he said he came to the location to pick up a friend but thought that he might have the wrong address, Gismondi said.

The man then drove from the home, and Lewis told officers she entered her house where she encountered two people in hooded sweatshirts.

Gismondi said the two suspects fled from the home and Lewis spotted them getting into the car that had just left her driveway.

Lewis chased the vehicle in her vehicle and called police, Gismondi said.

Officers were initially unable to locate the suspects, Gismondi said.

According to Gismondi, officers returned to Lewis’ home and found 11 guns that had been removed from various locations in the house and were discovered on the ground just outside the home. Additionally, four handguns were missing from the residence.

While police called for a forensic team to respond to the home, Gismondi said police received a tip that the suspect’s vehicle was parked at a nearby location.

When officers responded, they discovered the getaway driver and questioned him regarding the burglary.

The driver, who was not charged, told police that he was offered $20 by Whipkey and an unidentified teenager to drive them to a house in Carmichaels and then pick them up later in the day.

Gismondi said later that day he questioned Whipkey about the incident and he admitted to stealing four handguns from the home and then, after getting frightened by police involvement, threw them in Ten Mile Creek.

Gismondi noted that Whipkey’s accomplice also was charged for his alleged role in the heist in Greene County Juvenile Court.

Whipkey was placed in the Greene County Prison on $20,000 straight cash bond following his arraignment Wednesday.

A preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. Friday before Watson.