Probation officers ask Greensburg man’s parole be revoked after multiple arrests last week
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The Westmoreland County Adult Probation office has asked a judge to revoke the parole of a 19-year-old man who was arrested twice last week by Greensburg police for allegedly stiffing a cab driver out of a $90 fare just a few hours after he was accused of illegal possession of 57 multi-dose bars of anti-anxiety medication.
Anthony A. Bittinger of Greensburg was paroled Dec. 4 by Judge Christopher Feliciani after he pleaded guilty in September to theft, fleeing and eluding, escape, resisting arrest, and driving under the influence following his arrest twice within 90 minutes in Greensburg last July 3.
According to a complaint filed last week by Patrolman Chase Mollomo, police were called Feb. 6 to the Sunoco convenience store at 141 W. Pittsburgh St. where it was reported someone left a suspicious bag containing suspected contraband.
Mollomo said in court documents filed before District Judge Chris Flanigan that the large tan bag contained multiple Xanax bars in two small plastic bags. While police were at the scene, Mollomo said Bittinger returned to retrieve the bag. He was arrested for illegal possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“(Bittinger) admitted that he accidently left the bag at the store and was aware the Xanax bars were inside the bag,” Mollomo wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
“Once we had (Bittinger) back in the station, we discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant for access device fraud filed by South Park Police and an Allegheny County constable drove out to pick him up and take him to the Allegheny County Jail to be arraigned on those charges,” city police Capt. Robert Stafford said.
When Bittinger was released from the jail in Pittsburgh that same day he summoned a cab to return him to Greensburg, police reported.
Patrolman Hank Fontana said in court papers he was dispatched to the vicinity of Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital for a report of an altercation between two men outside. Fontana said a cab driver from Z-Trip taxi service alleged Bittinger attempted to run away without paying a $90 fare.
Fontana cited Bittinger for theft of service. Hearings are scheduled on the Westmoreland complaints March 7 before Flanigan.
According to online dockets, the county probation department filed a motion before Feliciani on Monday to revoke Bittinger’s parole.