TOP STORIES
Former store manager accused of stealing cash
A former Union Township pool company manager is accused of stealing money from the store and keeping customers’ cash deposits.
Union Township police yesterday filed three felony charges of theft, theft by deception and receiving stolen property against George Lipcsak, 45, of Zelienople, who had been the manager of Swimming Pool Discounters at 4901 W. State St.
Police said Lipcsak allegedly stole $8,267.29 from the store in cash and customer deposits. He also is accused of stealing a laundry dryer from the business.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest by District Judge J.V. Lamb, and he is expected to turn himself in to authorities.
Police said Lipcsak has been fired.
Police allege Lipcsak took customers’ cash deposits and did not turn the money over to the business. Nor did he deliver the products to the customers, they said.
Police received a report from office manager Melissa Kleiner on June 14 that her father, Dale Kleiner, who owns the company, told her a customer had called to set up a delivery date for his hot tub.
Dale Kleiner told the customer he had no sale order or contact on a hot tub under his name, according to police.
Melissa Kleiner also told police she found from an inventory list that all the equipment used to install fiberglass pools was missing.
She also said other customers had called the store and her father, asking where their pools or hot tubs were because they had paid deposits to Lipcsak but did not receive their purchases.
In one instance, a couple had placed a deposit on a pool, then gave Lipcsak more money and picked up the pool. However, the payment was not turned in to the company, the police were told.
Melissa Kleiner also learned that a customer had paid more than $2,000 by check for a purchase that wasn’t received. The company never received the money, and the man received a refund, leaving the store short.
Melissa Kleiner also alleged Lipcsak did not turn in register money on certain days, police said.
Police noted they had interviewed Lipcsak about the cash discrepancies and he voluntarily answered their questions and gave a written statement, admitting to stealing customer deposits and to stealing money from the cash register.
When questioned about items missing from the store, according to police, Lipcsak said he did not have any of those items, with the exception of the dryer.
- TOP STORIES
-
-
Back to School, Part 5: Mohawk offering own version of cyberschool
The Mohawk Area School District is starting the new year with a virtual twist. The district is now enrolling students in its own cyberschool within its high school.
-
Back to School, Part 4: Local districts probe consolidation
The prospect of school district consolidation in Lawrence County promises to be a main topic of discussion among superintendents next week.
-
Back to School, Part 3: Mohawk students return to upgraded facility
The modular trailers that had housed classrooms are gone from the grounds of the Mohawk school district. Junior high students started the school year in brand new classrooms that were still under construction last year.
-
Back to School, Part 2: African refugees share insights with students
Without education, there is no way to pursue goals, David Dau told Wilmington High School students on Monday. Dau, who walked 1,000 miles across Africa as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, was one of two classroom visitors.
-
Back To School, Part 1: Teach get education at technology camp
A full high school parking lot is unusual during the summer. But that’s just what happened at Laurel junior/senior high. Teachers gathered from Butler, Mercer and Lawrence counties to attend a two-day, hands-on technology training camp this month.
-
Photos, Video, Story: Enthusiastic bingo players hope big bucks are in the cards
What game can entertain and pay? Well, an event that has been around for almost two decades still keeps city bingo-goers on the edge of their seat. Bingo takes place throughout the city at eight different halls, and attracts players from all over the county.
-
Valley View moves closer to sale
Valley View Downs is galloping toward the auction block. A verbal agreement was reached Wednesday between Centaur and creditors that could lead to the sale of the Indiana-based company’s assets in Mahoning Township.
-
Jack’s Back: Seattle Mariners’ GM returns home to fire up teachers
Jack Zduriencik, the general manager of the Mariners and a former Major League Baseball executive of the year, was in town Wednesday morning to address more than 500 teachers, administrators and other staff during the New Castle Area School District Kickoff Day at Cascade Park.
-
County Finances: Department heads told to slash budgets
With ghost trails of last year’s holiday furloughs behind them, county department heads now are being told to slash their budgets by 10 percent next year in order to help balance the county’s 2011 budget.
-
Out of Sight: Lack of vision leads to bond for two county men
Talk about an ice breaker. That happened as Bud Green attended a dinner with his wife about Christmastime last year. It was an occasion for members of the Lawrence County Association for the Blind and the New Castle Lions Club.
- More TOP STORIES Headlines
-





