Troopers say tips from public led them to suspect in car keying at Unity Walmart
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State police in Greensburg said tips from the public helped them identify a woman accused of keying a car outside Walmart in Unity in April during a dispute over a parking space.
Lori Ann Hoak, 44, of Latrobe, has been charged by state police with criminal mischief before Unity District Judge Michael Mahady in connection with the April 25 incident, according to court documents.
Trooper Daniel Poponick said Hoak was identified after her photograph was released to the media.
Poponick said a woman reported that around 10:50 a.m. she found a parking spot in the store’s lot and then heard someone “beep her horn.”
“(The victim) thought nothing of it, exited her vehicle and entered Walmart to drop off a prescription,” Poponick said.
She returned to her car a short time later and described to troopers “hearing a metal-on-metal screeching sound coming from the driver’s side of her vehicle.”
“She then observed the suspect standing beside her vehicle with keys in her left hand. The suspect keyed the victim’s car on the driver’s side from front to back,” Poponick said.
When the victim asked for the suspect’s information, the woman ignored her and walked into the store.
Poponick estimated the damage at more than $500.
Hoak was identified within two days of the release of her photo, Poponick said.
“I was able to interview (Hoak) and positively identify her. I received over a dozen tips and the majority of the people did not leave their name or number and wished to remain anonymous, but I would like to thank them,” he said.
A hearing is scheduled July 29 before Mahady. The complaint was mailed via summons.