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Austintown police probe PTA theft

Saturday, June 16, 2007

AUSTINTOWN — Township police are investigating the theft of about $9,000 from the Woodside Elementary PTA.

PTA president Shannon Anderson told police Thursday that the missing money came to light after she received a call from a business telling her that checks had bounced.

Anderson said she called Farmers National Bank, where the PTA account is set up, and was told the account was somewhere around “negative $3,000.”

A suspect has admitted taking money from the account for about a year, a police report says.

Anderson told police that about $9,000 is missing.

The suspect told Anderson and PTA member Erika Belcik that she “borrowed” PTA funds, and she expressed remorse and a willingness to accept responsibility, Belcik said in a written statement for police.

Detective Sgt. Ray Holmes said a felony theft charge will be filed Monday against the suspect, who is expected to appear in court Monday afternoon.