Bellevue man wanted by several towns accusing him of shoplifting, accused of stealing nearly $12k in Frazer alone

Multiple warrants are out for the arrest of a Bellevue man accused of helping to shoplift nearly $12,000 worth of merchandise from the Walmart in Frazer last year.

Police are looking for 46-year-old John Gehlert, who faces 32 felony charges of retail theft and conspiracy in retail theft.

Police said Gehlert and his girlfriend, Jamie Michalski, 31, of Pittsburgh stole or attempted to steal $13,000 worth of merchandise from the Walmart in the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex.

Police say the pair went to Frazer Walmart 15 times last year between May 5 and their arrest Aug. 3, 2021.

They returned to the store several days in a row on multiple occasions, stealing more than $1,000 in merchandise on nearly all of them, police say. They hit the store three days in a row, then five days in a row, both in June; then four out of five days about the Fourth of July, taking only Independence Day off, authorities allege.

Gehlert was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Sept. 30 but did not show for the hearing, police said. He is being sought.

He also faces warrants issued by the University of Pittsburgh and Bellevue police.

Michalski was arrested last week. Michalski faces 32 felony charges, 16 for retail theft and 16 for conspiracy retail theft. She awaits a preliminary hearing, set for Monday, Aug. 8, before District Judge David Sosovicka.

According to the criminal complaint police filed against Michalski, the pair’s actions were caught on surveillance cameras. A Walmart loss and asset protection employee provided receipts to police.

On Aug. 3, 2021, police said, they responded to a call from store security regarding a car store officials said had been used for multiple retail thefts. Police said the car, a white Chevy Impala, was used in a previous shoplifting incident at the Walmart in Harrison before coming to the Frazer Walmart.

The driver was detained for a short time by police, along with Michalski and Gehlert, according to the complaint.

Police said they determined the driver was a jitney and released him.

Michalski was arrested July 27.