2 nabbed in burglary spree of 11 bars in Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette counties

State police announced Thursday that two people were arrested in connection with a string of bar burglaries in three counties, including Westmoreland, where $17,500 in cash and alcohol was stolen.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled next week for David Alan Rice, 33, of Charleroi, and Stephanie Denise Hankle, 30, of Monongahela. Rice is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and related offenses. Hankle is charged with burglary, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy.

Troopers said the following bars were burglarized between April and November 2023:

• June Bug’s in Sutersville and Russ’s Tavern in Rostraver, both in Westmoreland County.

• Dark Horse Saloon in Belle Vernon, Brenda Lee’s and Starlite Bar in Washington Township, Slavonic Club in Fayette City, Coal Hill Tavern in Brownsville and Cloverleaf Bar in Perry Township, all in Fayette County.

• Black Diamond VFW in Monongahela, Watering Hole in Stockdale and Allenport Marina, all in Washington County.

Rice admitted to burglarizing all 11 bars, including the Black Diamond VFW twice, according to court papers. He said Hankle on some occasions drove him to the establishments and picked him up afterward.

Rice told police he forced his way into the buildings and emptied cash registers, cigarette machines, gambling machines and ATMs. Police said there was $8,000 in damages to the bars. Cellphone search warrants showed communication between the two suspects during several of the burglaries, according to court papers.

Both were being held at the Washington County Correctional Facility. Rice’s bail was set at $100,000 and Hankle’s at $50,000. Neither had an attorney listed in online court records.