Franklin Park Police Charge Man in Theft of Tools

Franklin Park police recently filed criminal trespass and theft charges against a New Brighton man accused of stealing more than $1,000 from his employer and a job site.

Police charged Jason Russell, 35, of New Brighton with two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property, and one count each of criminal trespass and providing false reports to police.

According to a criminal complaint, Russell stole numerous construction tools in October and November from his employer, Antenucci Flooring, 120 Perry Highway in Harmony, and he took items from a Franklin Park job site. He then pawned the goods at Hamilton Tools & Supply in Beaver Falls, police said.

Police discovered Russell had been taking items after the first victim, Curtis Scheller called Nov. 6 to report a rigid air compressor and Dewalt radio were stolen from a residential carriage home under construction on Laurel Drive in Franklin Park.

Police contacted Hamilton Tools and learned Russell sold numerous items. Police said Scheller was able to identify his property, worth $230.

Police said Russell’s employer, Steven Antenucci, also discovered items missing from his business. Antenucci visited Hamilton’s and identified numerous construction tools valued at $1,000 taken from his business and sold, police said.

Russell was interviewed Nov. 8 at the police station, when he first implicated two painters in the thefts, indicating someone else sold him stolen tools, police said. He later admitted he alone stole and sold the items, police said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12 before District Judge Robert Ford.

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