State police searching for man wanted for burglaries
State police are searching for a New Salem man wanted in connection with a series of burglaries.
Police said two warrants have been issued for the arrest of Timothy Allen McKinney Jr., 31, who is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds, has hazel eyes and brown hair. Police said he is expected to be somewhere in the Fayette County area.
Police said McKinney was charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.
State police are asking for the public’s assistance with locating McKinney. If anyone knows the whereabouts of McKinney they are asked to call Fayette County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-404-TIPS. A website is also available at crimestoppersfayette@gmail.com. Anyone who provides information on the whereabouts of McKinney could be awarded up to $1,000.
Police issued a press release Thursday that said a Brownsville man reported that between $100,000 and $120,000 of jewelry belonging to his late wife was stolen on Nov. 16. The victim drove to Audio Lab of Uniontown searching for the jewelry.
Police said the victim spoke to Robert P. Kasievich, owner of Audio Lab, and provided him with pictures, inventory and a letter explaining the circumstances in which the jewelry was stolen. Police said the victim asked the store to contact him if any of the missing jewelry was brought to the store.
Police said during the course of their conversation, the victim saw several pieces of his stolen jewelry in the display cases inside the store. When the victim reported the findings to police, officers attempted to make contact with Kasievich.
Police said they were informed that the store was closed and the owner could not be located. Police said they made additional attempts between Saturday and Monday to contact the owner but with negative results.
Police said during that two-day time frame, Kasievich and McKinney met at the Audio Lab to discuss the items being stolen. Police said Kasievich demanded his money back at which point McKinney gave him $2,000 of the more than $6,000 that was originally paid to him for the items he sold. Police said Kasievich gave some of the jewelry back to McKinney but held the rest for collateral until he returned the remainder of the money.
Police said when they arrived on Monday at the Audio Lab, the store’s staff refused to cooperate with the investigation. After police obtained a search warrant, they recovered about 50 pieces of the victim’s jewelry from the store.
Police said several hundred pieces of the jewelry have still not been located.
Police said in the release that they are obtaining a warrant for Kasievich’s arrest. Police said he has been charged with receiving stolen goods.
Police said another warrant was issued for McKinney’s arrest. Police said McKinney and another male stole about $8,000 worth of jewelry on Sept. 29, 2011 from a residence along Searights Herbert Road in Menallen Township. Police said McKinney’s accomplice took the jewelry to King’s Jewelry Store in the Uniontown Mall and received a total of $1089.00 for the stolen goods.