Man charged with stealing money, gift cards from church

Police recovered jewelry worth thousands of dollars.

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — State Police here are charging a former program coordinator at St. Vitus parish with stealing $337,446 in cash and gift cards from the church.

Police said August Santillo, 50, of West Clayton Street, New Castle, stole from the parish at 910 Mercer St. from 2001 to July 2008.

Santillo was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Jerry Cartwright and placed in Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $55,000 bond.

He stole $225,081 in cash and $84,906 in Giant Eagle gift cards, police said.

Police said he used the gift cards to buy others from the Giant Eagle, including Visa and American Express gift cards, and then bought jewelry, clothes, household items and computer items. He accumulated $3,835 in fuel perks as he did so, they said.

He also used the money to buy vehicles, police said.

Police executed a search warrant at Santillo’s house, though they didn’t specify when.

They said they recovered a 3-carat loose diamond valued at $13,759; a half-carat diamond princess solitaire ring valued at $10,650; a 2-carat diamond valued at $6,500; a 2.6-carat loose diamond valued at $11,655; a 2-carat round solitaire diamond ring valued at $15,749; a men’s Rolex watch valued at $8,000; and thousands of dollars’ worth of other jewelry.

They said they also recovered a Nissan Murano and a Mercedes Benz.

Police said the investigation is still open and more charges are pending.