Source The Valley Independent, Monessen, Pa.
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Oct. 15--A volunteer firefighter accused of stealing equipment valued at more than $40,000 of from the New Eagle Fire Department was ordered to stand trial.
Michael Edward Griest, 25, of 40 Reese Road, Bentleyville, formerly of New Eagle, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday before Magisterial District Judge Mark Wilson.
Police said Griest sold metal from stolen items to Monongahela Iron and Metal, 613 E. Main St., Monongahela, on various occasions from Sept. 22 to 29, police said.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Monongahela police officer Kevin J. Harris, Griest sold 28 aluminum breathing apparatus tanks and brass from fire department equipment, all of which New Eagle Fire Chief Paul Pro told police was stolen.
Police said Griest received approximately $350 for the items he sold at Monongahela Iron and Metal.
Pro told police that other firefighting equipment and property, including a portable radio, a Playstation gaming console, a VCR, an electric generator, sirens, and a steel tub were also stolen.
Griest allegedly sold the brass eagle from the fire department flag pole for $3.10, according to the affidavit.
Pro said the items went missing sometime from Sept. 1 to 30, according to the affidavit.
Griest was arrested Oct. 4 and charged with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy and one misdemeanor count of injuring or tampering with fire apparatus.
Police also arrested Griest's girlfriend, Tiffany Gola, 22, of 40 Reese Road. The affidavit states that Gola helped Griest sell the breathing apparatus tanks.
At Friday's hearing, Harris added four counts each of theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property against Griest.
Upon request from Washington County Assistant Public Defender Russ Korner, Wilson reduced Griest's bond from $50,000 to $5,000 straight cash.
Korner told the judge Griest has no prior offenses.
Griest was returned to the Washington County Correctional Facility.
At the time of his arrest, Griest's address was listed as 147 First St., New Eagle.
In court Friday, Griest said he is now living at Gola's residence.
Gola was jailed in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bond, which Monongahela Police Chief Brian Tempest said she has since posted.
She was charged with one felony count each of receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.
Her preliminary hearing was rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Wilson's office.
