Fayette man accused of $20K in thefts while wearing ankle monitor from previous crimes

A man slated for trial next month on charges of theft and receiving stolen property from 2017 in Westmoreland County was arrested by state police in May for allegedly breaking into parked cars at a local repair shop with an electronic monitoring bracelet still attached to his ankle, according to court documents.

Tony P. Leasure, 47, of Everson, Fayette County, is being held in the Hempfield lockup after failing to post $150,000 bail on multiple new complaints of burglary, criminal trespass, receiving stolen property and theft for breaking into the two vehicles May 10 at Meegan Ford in East Huntingdon. The charges were filed by the state police organized crime detail.

Trooper Thomas Kaecher alleges in court documents filed Wednesday before District Judge Charles Moore that state police recovered more than $19,747 in stolen generators, tools, tool boxes, torpedo heaters and lawn equipment that Leasure had allegedly stolen and accumulated on his property and in his vehicles since November 2018.

State police say he was attempting to sell the equipment that he stole.

Leasure also is charged with the theft of $15,581 worth of tools and landscaping equipment that has not been recovered, according to court documents.

Kaecher reported that Leasure “has been targeting construction sites and construction vehicles” throughout northern Fayette and southern Westmoreland counties.

Leasure allegedly used a cutting tool to break into construction and landscaping trailers that were parked at hotels during the spree, according to court documents.

Fayette County Detectives and Connellsville Police assisted in the months-long investigation of Leasure, Kaecher said.

Kaecher reported that Leasure was picked up May 24 after he was caught on surveillance camera, with his face hidden by a mask, in the parking lot of Meegan Ford breaking into two vehicles that were parked at the dealership off of Route 119 awaiting service.

Investigators recognized Leasure when they saw the video and could plainly see “an ankle monitor on his right ankle,” that he was ordered to wear since Jan. 10, when he was released on bond in a 2017 theft case.

Leasure is slated for trial July 15 before Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger on those theft-related charges also filed by state police.

A telephone call to Leasure’s attorney, Donna McClelland, was not immediately returned.

Moore scheduled a preliminary hearing on the new complaints for July 10.