After a day off for Memorial Day, Indiana County’s Courts will be busy today with many formal arraignment hearings, including one for a man charged with stealing packages off of porches.
Charges of organized retail theft, receiving stolen property, theft by unlawful taking, two counts of retail theft, theft of mail and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were filed against 34-year-old John Manning of Shelocta on March 5th for incidents that happened between February 12th and 27th. State police said during that time, he allegedly stole packages off front porches in Indiana, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Allegheny Counties. When police searched his home, they found a lot of the stolen merchandise. His bail was reduced from $20,000 to $250, and he has been free since posting it.
Another formal arraignment hearing is scheduled for 58-year-old Clarence Ellsworth, Jr. of Coral. He is charged with simple assault and harassment for an incident on February 3rd when he reportedly punched a woman in her ribs, causing some bruising. While he fled the scene, police found him later. He has also been free on bail since his initial arrest.
