Greensburg police said a submarine sandwich helped lead them to a suspect accused of stealing a donation jar from a local pizza shop.

Gabriel A. Smith, 41, of Jeannette is charged with theft and receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of approximately $100 in donations collected in a jar kept on the counter at Abie and Bimbo’s Pizza, 1017 Highland Ave.

Officer John Carnes reported in court documents the donations were meant for the Westmoreland County Animal Response Team, which responds to animal emergencies in Allegheny, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

Restaurant employees reported the donation jar was taken about 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and they only had one customer at that time, who paid for his submarine sandwich using a pre-paid Visa card. Carnes said Smith signed for the purchase.

When police looked at store security videotape, the video showed Smith using the card to pay for his sandwich, receiving a bag containing food and heading toward the door, Carnes said in court documents.

“(Smith) walks away from the counter, then comes back to the register,” Carnes wrote.

The employee then heads back into the kitchen, police reports said.

“(Smith) takes the donation jar, puts it in his food bag. The employee then comes back out of the kitchen and hands him napkins,” Carnes said the video shows.

Police said Smith then exited the store, entered a silver BMW with a vanity plate and drove away.

Smith was charged via mailed summons. He did not have an attorney listed in court documents and could not be reached for comment.

A hearing date is set for Feb. 25.

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